History of Company K, 27th Mississippi Infantry, and its first and last master rolls;

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THE ABERDEEN EXAMINER

ABERDEEN, MISSISSIPPI

3

THE HISTORY OF COMPANY K,
27TH MISSISSIPPI INFANTRY^
AND ITS FIRST AND LAST MUSTER ROLLS

BY: R. A. JARMAN

':t -

THE ABERDEEN EXAMINER

The Right: Nor Courting Favor, Nor Fearing Condemnation,

Aberdeen, Mississippi, Friday, January 31, 1890

NO. 44

Excerpt, by: R.A. Jarman

The History of Company K, 27th
Mississippi Infantry, and Us
First and Last Muster Hollo.

Editors Examlner--

According to promise I herewith inclose a copy of the first and
last muster rolls of Company K, 27th Regiment Mississippi Infantry,
during the late unpleasantness between the States. Strictly speaking,
it was at first known as "Enfield Riflemen, " because the company armed
and equipped itself with short rifles and sabre bayonets after the Enfield
pattern, made by Cook & Dro;, New Orleans, La., for which the company
paid $50 per gun, or $5,000 for one hundred. Wo were mustered into
the service of the Confederate States at Aberdeen, Mississippi at the old
Fair grounds, for one year, by Lieutenant J. S. Lanier, on September 27, 1861.
We remained in camp at Aberdeen until about November 18th, 1861, when we war,
ordered to Mobile, Alabama, where we did guard duty until February 12th, 1862,
when we were ordered to Pensacola, Florida, to do general picket and guard
duty, and to manage some coast batteries between Warrenton navy yard and
old Fort Barrancas. While there we had a hand in dismounting and shipping
all the heavy guns in batteries at Forts Barrancas and McRea, that were
sent from there to Mobile and Vicksburg, also all of the heavy machinery
out of the navy yard. We also bore a hand in the final destruction of the navy
yard by preparing combustibles and placing one or more large loaded shells
in every building and getting everything ready for the cavalry to fire when
we evacuated on the night of May 12th, 1862.

While we were stationed at the navy yard we had good and comfortable
quarters, and every convenience in the way of water, kitchens, etc. , but

'

Excerpt, by.R.A. Jarman, from The Aberdeen Examiner, Jan 31, 1890

NO. 44--Pag© 2

the fleas were our great pest by night and day; but we had fresh fish
whenever we wanted them, either by 6eine or hook and line. On one
occasion we caught enough at one haul of the seine to feed three regiments
and a batalion, and had remaining over more than would fill a common
two-hor6e wagon bed. While there a schooner run the blockade at the
mouth of Perdido river, and had to be dismantled and burned to prevent
it from falling into the hands of the Yankees, and among her stores were
a lot of old rusty muskets, medicine and a considerable lot of rum which
had to be hauled on wagons to Pensacola, and one night at the wagon yard.
Burton, a servant of Dan Willis, discovered that the wagon master and
teamsters had stolen and hidden in the sand under a house, a barrel of th©
rum. So next day he "gave it away, " and five or six of the men got a cart
and horse from a Dago on the island and went to the wagon yard and captured
the prize and brought it to the navy yard and put it in a closet just in rear
of a building in which company officers were quartered, and drew It only
at night, and I assure you they had a gay old time while it lasted. Every
morning at roll call it smelled very strong, and Capt. John B. Sale would
lecture them about it--thoy only let him smell "but nary a taste" did he ever
get. During our stay in the navy yard the company was re-organiced for th©
war and Capt. Sale was again elected.

We again arrived at Mobile, May 13th, 1862, at night; quartered that
night in a cotton warehouse. Next day we moved back to our old quarters.
Camp Beulah, four miles out on Spring Hill road, and on the land of Major
Evans, the father of Mrs. Augusta Evans Wilson, the authoress of Beulah,
etc. I now leave the company- at Mobile. More, pa rhaps hereafter*

Yours,
R.A. Jarman

Muster B, Company K, 27th Mississippi Infantry*

John B. Sale, Captain.
Wm B. Evans, 1st Lt. ,
WH Saunders, 2d Ltl,
AV Snowden, 3rd Lt. ,
TB Smith, 1st Sergt. ,
WB Ogburn, 2nd Sergt.
WA McMillan, 3rd Srgt
EO Lyles,4th Srgt.,
BA Allen, 5th Srgt. ,
TD Williamson, lot Corp.
HV Mayfield, 2nd Corp. ,

JW Hill, 3rd Corp. ,
WP Grizzle, 4th Corp.

PRIVATES

Anglin, JS
Baker, AL
Bishop, John L
Bishop, W Ira
Bradford, John D
Bradford, Henry B
Brock, Quedellaa W

Bryan, Jasiah E
Bonner, T Asbury
Carr, Thomas W
Carroll, Jesse©
Lagrone, Georg© W
Lewis, John L
Maxwell, Jam© a W

Excerpt by: R.A. Jarman, from The Aberdeen Examiner, Jan 31, 1890

NO. 44~Page$
Company K, 27th Mississippi Infantry Muster--Privatcs, Continued

Montgomery, J. M
Moore, AW
Marshall, James W
Mayes, Robert L
Mcador, JM
Mealer, JM
Newshal, Zack
Minnia, Robert A
McKinney, Thomas B
McKinney, J Benjaman
Nash, Edmond D
Nash, William M
Peters, John R
Peters, Rlcherd H
Powell, Anderson Q
Puckett, William H
Puckett, Allen C
Pullon, Nathan F
Porter, Theoderic S
Camp, Oscar F
Check, James H
Colley, JS L
Cosby, Drury A
Cowley, William S
Cox, Rufus J
Daughtrey, Barnes G
Dean, William F
Edge, Hiram C
Evans, F Marion
Fears, James M
Fortaon, Wm. D
Gibson, Benjamin F
Gladney, John S
Grady, John A
Hall, Wm Jefferson

Hawkins, Felix G
Hill, Robert E
Hollls, William
Henley, William C
Hendrlx, Marlon J
Inman, John J
Jarman, R. Amos
Jones, Robert C
Lantrip, FM
Lantrip, John B
Thrailkill, James
Townsend, John B
Thompson, Samuel E
Truland; John G
Tubb, Bcnj. F
Thompson, James S
Ware, Nicholas O
Watson, P Marion
Westbrook, William N
Westbrook, John A
White, James W
White, Hunley V
White, James M
White, Hiram L,
Whitley, Robert H
Whatley, Wilson, Jrl*
Willis, Daniel W.
Wofford, Robert H.
Wofford, William F
Savage, Zacarlah T
Savely, James R
Smith, Julian E
Smith, James M,

Excerpt, by: R. A. Jarman, from The Aberdeen Examiner, Jan 31, 1890

NO. 44--Paga 4

The above is our first muster roll, dated December let 1861. Additional
names of those joining at different times:

James A Check,
John Whatley,
James W Peck
George O. Warner,
BH Booth

■

JS McRea
AW Watson,

Moore, MF
TB Townsend.
Augustus McMullan,
Oscar Rogers,
Thomas Farr,
P Butler Hunter
J Edgar Jarman,
Green W Westbrook

JF Whitley,
Joseph A Thompson,
WH Cashion,
George W Smith
Hersheli D Spratt,
John A S Gideon,
Richerd Clayton,
James H. Dean,
Louis Haberman, ~'
JW Patterson,
JM Johnson,
Dr. E Williams, '
Wiloughby, S J
Morgan, James D
Joseph P Pulllam
EH Lewis

Last Muster Roll of Company K, 27th Mississippi Infantry, at Montgomery,
Alabama, February 28th, 1865.

(Those marked P, Present, X, in prison or war, D, detached service} H,
sick or in hospital; R, wounded and home awaiting retirement*)

OFFICERS

WA McMillan, 2nd Lt.X
RA Jarman, 1st Srgt. P
Marshall, JW, 4th Srgt. . X
Williamson, TD, 5th X

P-BTVATES

j

} I ;

Bonner, TA H
Boothe, BH, X
Carr, TW, X
Carroll, Jesse, P
Chock, James H, X
Colley, JSL, H
Cox, RJ, D
Dean, JH, H
Evans, FM, P
Fears, JM, X
Gibson, BF, X

Whalley. John. X
Warner, George O, D
Cladney, JS, X
Hill, RE, X
Jones, RC, H
Mayes, RL, P
McKinney, JB, H
McRea, JS, P
Moore, AW, D
Nash, WM, X
Peters, RH, X

Puckett, AC, X
Porter, TS, X
Savage, ZT, H
Smith, JM, X
Smith, JE, H
Thrailkill, James, X
Thompson, Jaa S, P
Whalley, W Jr. , X
Westbrook, WG, H
White, HV, H
-Gideon, "John AS, H-

w**r.

From: The Aberdeen Examiner, Friday, January 31, 1890

(Editorial Matter)

We publish this morning the first and last muster rolls of Company K,
27th Mississippi Volunteers, and a chapter from the history of that
gallant command furnished by its last Orderly Sergeant, Mr. Amos
Jarman, of our county, Mr. Jarman will probably continue the narrative
to the end, and if so a most acceptable contribution to Mississippi's
military record will be supplied, for the story of a company well told la
the history of regiment, brigade, division, corps, army and country.

i

v^

yS

THE ABERDEEN EXAMINER::

The Right: Nor Courting Favor, Nor Fearing Condemnation . .

Aberdeen, Mississippi, Friday, February 7, 1890

NO. 45

Excerpt, by: R.A. Jarman

The History of Company K, 27th
Mississippi Infantry, continued

While the 27th Mississippi regiment was encamped at Mobile in
May 1862, for a few days, we did guard duty around the city and over
a lot of East Tennessee bridge burners; then we were put to work on
the fortifications southwest of the city at and near the old race course,
and given our first lesson in earth works. About the first week in June
we were moved south of Mobile, near the bay and on the Shell road Just
below the first toll gate. Some of the companies were put on batteries
out in the bay and others had charge of shore batteries. Company K's
battery was near camp and just north of the first toll gate, near Mr. Smith's
(I think). We had a fine time bathing after dark, for we were not per-
mitted to go in during the day time on account of travel on the Shell road. ';
Company drill and guard mounting in the morning; batallion drill in the
evening at the race course by our then Lieutenant-Colonel Hayes* of the
regular army. He had before the war belonged to the United States Marino
Corps; he was a fine officer and gentleman and well liked by the regiment.
Our Col Jones was at Department Headquarters at this time and we knew
very little of him. While in camp here we had a race In each company at
guard mounting every morning to see who would be excused from guard
duty for clean gun, for the man with cleanest gun in company detail was
excuced from duty while the detail was on guard. I have known Jesse Carroll,
now living In the neighborhood of old Camargo to wrap his gun in his
blanket and sleep with it to get released from guard duty next day, and he
would generally succeed, for hie gun shone like a new silver dollar. I on
one occasion carried off the prize, but only a week before I was marched
out In the dirty gun squad to the Colonel, but was let off as I bad been the
day before at work on the breastworks and my mess had let my gun get out of
tent, in the ditch, and full of 6and during a rain, upon promise never to
come up in the dirty gun squad again, which I never did; but I never but once
came to the front with the cleanest. While we were camped here, Capt.
Sale allowed Mr. W. M. Ogburn to put in a substitute, one Geo. W« Smith,
and several others made like attempts, but all failed which caused some

NO. 45--Page 2

Excerpt, by:R.A. Jarman, from the Aberdeen Examiner,-, February 7, 1890

disatiefaction. The favorite pastime of the men during the day was a game
of marbles under several large live oaks along the color line of the encamp-
ment where we collected during the heat of the day. Here we enlisted Geo.
O. Warner and B. H. Booth. The first came to be known as general clerk
at the Headquarters of the Army of the Tennessee* for two or or more years,
which position was secured to him by Capt. Sale, and the latter wan one of
the main men un the Signal Corps of the Army of Tennessee.

While we were here there was a proposition made for the men to give
up their guns and change our organization from infantry to artillery and to b«
known as the first Mississippi Artillery, and to remain in charge of the
batteries we had here erected; but some of the men, I might say the great
majority, hooted at the idea, and 6aid the war would soon be over and they
would not get into a fight; but I tell ;you they regretted their choice for they did
get fighting to their heart's content.

We left Mobile July 22nd 1862 to join Gen. Bragg and the Army of
Tennessee at Chattanooga. We were three or four days en route, and hero
for the first time, to my recollection, we had a Major to the regiment, In
the person of Major Lipscomb, of Columbus, Mississippi. If I mistake not wo
were sent from Chattanooga to Shell Mound and Bridgeport, Alabama, to do
picket duty along the Tennessee river, for about a month before we started on
the trip with the army to make the Kentucky campaign, in the fall of 1862. When
we started on that campaign we were put into a brigade which afterwards became
known as Walthall's brigade, composed of the 24th, 27th, 29th, 30th and 34th
Mississippi regiments; and in the fruit of that Kentucky campaign Is now
known to everyone. We were engaged in the battle of Perryvillc, Kentucky,
where wc burned our first powder at the enemy, and all the novelty of war
was seen and the men had all the wire edge taken from them thoroughly, and
I think about ten were killed and a number of P?he?a wounded. At the time
of the battle our company was the only one in the regiment armed with
rifles, the other ten companies were armed with old smooth bored muskets,
and as a consequence we bad to do all the skirmishing for the regiment, and It
put us in all exposed places, and under fire before the regiment was exposed.
Some of the killed here were J. A. Grady, George Lagrone, Jim White,
S. J. Willoughby, and 1 cannot now remember the others.

^

THE ABERDEEN EXAMINER

The Right: Nor Courting Favor, Nor Fearing Condemnation

Aberdeen, Mississippi, Friday, February 14, 1890

- NO. 46

Excerpt, by: R.A. Jarman

The History of Company K, 27th
Mississippi Infantry, Continued

While upon the subject of the battle of Perryville, I will say that
it was here that the 27th Mississippi was first under fire, and nobly
did it stand the te6t. Here it was that Company K did its first skirmishing.
While upon the advance movement Company K arrived at a precipice
fully thirty feet high. Capt. Sale halted the company and called back to
Col. Hays that here was a precipice thirty feet high. Col. Hays responded,
"Forward the skirmishers! " which was done, Sale in the midst. When
the regiment reached the place Capt. McLemore, of Company B, slipped
over the face of the precipice and said, "Company B follow met " and he
was followed by the entire regiment. Here old John, Capt, Sale's
servant, was so badly scared that he ran the old gray horse of Capt. Sale
back to the wagon train, and when the next day he received a scolding for
riding so fast, he said that the horse scared and ran away wlthhhim. Here
Major Lipscomb was killed and at the time he was the only field officer
of the regiment from Mississippi. When the army left the battlefield it wao
for a retreat from Kentucky, and all our wounded fell into the hands of the
Federals except possibly a few only slightly wounded. When the wounded
were well enough to bear moving they were carried to Louisville, Kentucky,
and put into barracks until they were sent to Vicksburg during the following
winter and exchanged.

To prove the devotion of the negro to the southern cause I will state
that a servant sent by my father with my brother, J. E. Jarman, and myself,
remained with my brother who was wounded here though the right shoulder,
and brother Edgar said that never was a man more faithful to any one that
Isom was to him; washing and attending to him generally, and while In the
barracks at Louisville he was not allowed to see him except at night, but then
ho always brought some tempting and appetizing morsel from the garrison
officers, although before that he had been known to go without hie meals
all day rather than oat what the boys had picked up In tholr foraging tripa.

Excerpt, by.R.A. Jarman, from the Aberdeen Examiner. February 14, 1890

NO. 46--Page 2

The objective point was Knoxville, by way of Crab Orchard, and when
the army reached Knoxville the regiment was in a dirty and smoked condition
and very tired, and very glad of the few days rest received there and in
the neighborhood. There the men enjoyed the luxuries of fine winter apples
that they found in the country while foraging for feed for the teams; and
pumpkin pies without shortening in the crust were brought to the camp and
sold by the old men and women of the country.

V/e moved from here to Chattanooga and Bridgeport, Alabama, by cars,
and after remaining at Bridgeport a few days, moved to a place near Esteii
Springs, on Nashville and Chattanooga railroad, by rail. On the trip from
Bridgeport the writer and some five or six other men went out to gather
walnuts near the east end of the railroad tunnel under Cumberland mountains
while the engine pulling part of the train pulled out and left them to walk
through the tunnell, and I tell you, two men abreast made it so dark In there
you could almost feel it. That night we got aboard with the second section of
our regiment and rejoined the company just before day»

Our next move was near Shelbyville; from there to Eagleville; from
Eagleville to Murfreesboro. On all our marches here we found plenty of
walnuts and hickory nuts, for they abounded all through Middle Tennessee.
Virile at Eagleville or Murfreesboro, Lieutenant-Colonel Hays was relieved
from our regiment and Lieutenant-Colonel Autery, of Vicksburg or Natchez, wi
assigned to duty with ua.

About the time v/e left Knoxville, or soon after Capt. Sale, of Company
K, was promoted to the rank of Colonel of cavalry and detailed as Judge
Advocate at Army headquarters, and Lieutenant W. H. Saunders promoted to
Captain. At the battle of Murfreesboro we again lost heavily as we were
again the only company to do skirmishing, although another company relieved
us at night. We were at the front all day for three days before the battle,
and in a thicket to the right of the turnpike that was so thick with vines and
undergrowth we could scarcely walk through it. After the battle \one could
run through it and not stumble, so raked was it by the enemy's cannon. Here
at Murfreesboro Cosby, Hollis and J. B. Townsend were among the killed
of the Company, and Henry Bradford among the wounded. (I do not now
romember all of those wounded or killed). Bradford's wound was from
a canister shot across the bridge of the nose between the eyes, and I tell
you he came near losing the sight of both eyes from it. The same shot
killed Hollis, Cosby was shot in two by a shell; all of this in the thicket
above mentioned.

I •

... — „. i: , \

Excerpt, by: R.A. Jarman, from the Aberdeen Examiner. February 14, 1890

NO. 46--Page 3

On the day of the battle, December 31, 1862, the Brigade made
two advances; the first time they were repulsed and driven back, but on
the next advance the line was so perfect it looked more like a dress
parade than a line of battle, and it carried everyghlng before it that
time in their charge upon the Federal battery about five or six hundred
yards distant and through a field to a cedar glade to where the battery wai
stationed. You can be assured they did effective work when I say in a
plumb orchard of half an acre in extent just in front of the Federal battery
you could almost traverse the whole field on the bodies of the dead and
wounded Yankees.

Here the regiment lost Lieutenant -Colonel Autcry, who had so lately
come to us, and many of its best company officers and quite heavily of
the rank and file. As soon as it was known that Lieutenant-Colonel Autery
was dead the regiment almost to a man petitioned Gen. Bragg to again send
us Col. "Hayes, who remained in command until In the Spring, when Held
officers were chosen, from the company officers of regiments.

We were in the whole fight at Murfreesboro during the week, and
in the retrograde movement with the army back to Shelbyville, and where
the army finally went into winter quarters late in January 1863.

About this time we lose sight of our first Col. Jones, for some cause
I cannot now recall, and I never heard of him again.

THE ABERDEEN EXAMINER

The Right: Nor Courting Favor, Nor Fearing Condemnation

Aberdeen, Mississippi, Friday, February 21, 1890

NO. 47

Excerpt, by; R.A. Jarman

The History of Company K, 27th
Mississippi Infantry, Continued

After the army fell back from Murfreesboro and was established
in winter quarters, near Shelbyville, the field and staff of the 27th
Mississippi regiment was re-organized by making Capt. Cambell, of
Company E, Colonel; Capt. Jones, of Company C, Lieutenant-Colonel,
and Capt. McLemore of Company B, Major* Lieutenant W. H. Saunders,
of Company K, became our Captain. Lieutenant A. V. Snowden, First
Lieutenant, Mr. W.A. McMillan Second Lieutenant. During the winter
Mr. McMillan had been detailed and sent home after clothing for the
company that had the previous spring been shipped back home to Aberdeen,
and I can assure you the writer and whole company enjoyed getting their
overcoats and good under clothing after the exposure around Murfreesboro.

On the march from Murfreesboro it was amusing to see, the different
men in the Company gathering sage out of gardens along the road, so they
could enjoy the luxury of a cup of 6age tea at night. Just imagine to your-
self a whole company drinking sage tea at once. Grand enjoyment!

While encamped at or near Shelbyville I do not now recollect what
we did, except drill, unless it was to guard some of the many still houses
near there to keep the men from getting as we then called it, "pine top
whisky, " but since then it has been given the name of Mountain Dew.

While the army was near Shelbyville, and I was at home on elck
furlough, the brigade was sent to Lewisburg, Tennessee, about 20 miles
from the main army to do outppost picket duty, but some of the men claimed
when I got back it was only to furlough the whole of Walthall's brigade and
give them a chance to get butter milk. You can imagine that they had a
good time when I say after a lapse 27 years some who are now grandfathers
laugh heartily at how the brigade and regimental staff officers and all others

Excerpt, by:R.A. Jarman, from the Aberdeen Examiner, February 21, 1890

NO. 46-Page 2

who get horses to ride, enjoyed an old fashioned gander pulling before the
fair ladles of Lewisburg and surrounding country. The command also had
nearly every day chicken fighting for be it known that there were plenty
of game chickens around Lewisburg at first, but deponant saith not how many
were there when the command left to again rejoin the army at Shelbyville.

I rejoined my company there in Juno 1863 time enough to be on tha
retreat from Middle Tennesoee. I was detailed with others during that
trip and sent to Decard on the Nashville & Chattanooga railroad, to do
guard duty, and while here I first rememeber seeing Gen. N. B. Forrest,
We remained here until the last train was leaving, when we turned over
our position to cavalry and started to rejoin our command at the foot of
Cumberland mountains, and helped that night and part of next day to push
up the wagon train that was corssing the mountains with us. While on this
trip wo enjoyed the green apples of the country nearly as well aa we did tha
ripe apples of the winter before. Rations ran short on this trip with us,
and when flour was issued to us we mado it up on our oil cloths, and soma
baked it on flat rocks, and some rolled it around their ramrods and baked
that way, for our wagons with cooking utensils was not near ue.

Brfore we arrived at the Tennessee river there was a detail sent _

that brought back to us cooked provisions for one day. We crossed the
river above Bridgeport, Ala. , and below Chattanooga, on a pontoon bridge,
then we traveled near the railroad but on the dirt road from there to
Cgattanooga, and when we got there we were a muddy, dirty set, for It
had rained on us for nearly a week, and we had to wade all the branches and
creeks as we came to them; and fortunately for myself I was nearly the
only man in the Company that could that night put on an entire clean suit of
clothes. I was just from home and had in addition to my own suit for my
brother, but he had gone home on wounded furlough and I had a double supply.
Nearly the first thing that greeted us after we got in camp at Chattanooga wai
a veritable peanut stand. Some man in the Company had managed through the
teamsters of wagon train to get a couple of sacks of gouber peas, and almost
as soon as camp was formed they were offering gouber peas for sales and as
the command had had nothing of the kind for several days, it took one man
nearly all his time to serve them out and make the necessary change, and
the whole lot was soon sold, but next day and during the time we wero there
the gouber peas were plentiful in camp. Next day as soon as the men had
time to forage around, it was discovered that there was armarkot garden

Excerpt* by; R.A. Jarman, from the Aberdeen Examiner, February 21, 1890

NO. 46--Page 3

near us with some three acres or more of long stem blue collards; but
they were greens, and the brigade was "hankering" for something of the
kind, and it was not very long until we dug up the entire patch; for be It
not eaid that a soldier would eat almost anything in season or out of oeaaon.
Wo remained here some 10 days or two weeks, when our brigade wae again
sent oh special detached service in Chattanooga, Tennessee, to Atlanta,
Georgia, of which I will speak next week.

R.A. Jarman

THE ABERDEEN EXAMINER
The Right: Nor Courting Favor, Nor Fearing Condemnation
Aberdeen, Mississippi, Friday, February 28, 1890

NO. 48
Excerpt, by: R. A. Jarman

The History of Company K, 27th
Mississippi Infantry, Continued

When the brigade left Chattanooga for Atlanta, Georgia, in
July 1863 rumor said it was on account of an expected raid from the
Federal calvary on Atlanta, our base of supplies, and the arsenal situated
there. We arrived there in the midst of the peach and watermellon season,
and the country tributary to Atlanta raises fine peaches, at least it did
when we were there in 1863. The different regimert s were stationed at
various places around the city, and one left to guard the railroad brigade
acorss the Chattahoochie river. Soon after arriving at Atlanta, the command
was paid off, so the men could enjoy their money, and they did enjoy In-
vesting it in peaches, mellons, pinetop whisky and many other luxuries that
for some time had been unknown to the soldiers of our command. We had
every day nearly, old fashioned peach pios baked in an oven, then we would
go to the houses close to camp and engage dinner at times for a whole mesa
at once, which was generally vegetables, fri call chicken or chicken pie, but
always ended in peach pie. Then when we got a chance to go to town, which
was quite often, we could get peach and honey, and all know its merits too
well to discuss them hero.

But lo and behold, the day came when it was shown what our real
business was there. The bugle sounded and the drums beat the long roll, and
we fell in line and marched in a double quick to our positions, leaving only
those on duty as camp guard who were on post. A strong picket line was
formed around the whole place, when enough men were sent back to make a
full camp guard, to care for camp and cook for the pickets. Then orders
were issued to let everybody come in, but no one to pass out without a special
permit. Then the horses and mules began to come in from surrounding
country for the balance of the day and all night, their owners expecting any
minute the Federal cavalry to get their stock unless they were brought to
Atlanta for protection. Next morning there were details sent out and we
began to gather in and turn over to the post quartermaster all the stock
found in Atlanta, that the best and most sutiable might be retained for

Excerpt, by:R.A. Jarman, from the Aberdeen Examiner, February 28, 1890

NO. 48-Page 2

recruiting tbe artillery and cavalry horses, and mules for the supply train
of the Army of Tennessee, for the coming fall campaign. I tell you we
at that time got fine carriage horses out of parlors, from sitting rooms, and
in one instance from up stairs. One fine spau of horses we thought had some
got away, but after the third day, when the pickets were relieved, we found
them, accidentally, in a hazelnut thicket in 300 yards of camp. We remained
here now only a few days longer, as we had accomplished the purpose we
wore sent to Atlanta for--the impressment of horses for the army. We
left Atlanta for Chickamauga Station and were assigned to LiddelPs division,
Walker's reserve corps. While at Atlanta my father sent me another servant
by the name of Rafe, who at different times hereafter will come up. He haa
been in Aberdeen for some years as a common loafer, and calls himself
Raford Hooka. Pity a good negro should become so worthleaa.

When we got to Chickamauga Station and were put in the reeerve
corps we thought that we would have a good time but we learned that in army
parlance reserve did not mean reserve at all, but it meant the first in and
the last out when it came to a battle.

While here during the last of Augus t and the first of September, wo
enjoyed roasting ears and corn field beans (not peas). While here, one .

Sunday morning, Tom Townsend, (the poor follow had to a certain extent
lost his reason, particularly whenever he saw a man stroke Ms board or
twist his mustache) walked up to Lieutenant McMillan, who was stroking
his beard, and asked him why he thus insulted him. Lieutenant McMillan
assured him that he meant no insult but to no avail, he had to bo sent to the
tent until after inspection, when his delusion had left him. He was killed
soon after at the battle of Chickamauga; his one fault was his imagining
himself insulted; he was a good soldier, but partly demented after the death
of his brother, J. B. Townsend, at Murfresboro.

We 6pent several days before the battle of Chickamauga in chasing
after scouting parties of the enemy in the caves and hollows of the moun-
taines, and one day when rations were particularly scarce with us, I had Rafe
off at a house near by cooking a chicken pie for the mess, and Jeseee
Carroll, of the mess, had in his haversack some crackers and bacon that he
had brought with him from Atlanta, but when asked to divide, denied having
anything. Jessoe was put on a water detail and sent about a half mile for
water, and in an unlucky moment gave me his haversack to keep until he
returned, and while he was gone I called the mesa together and we ate
everything he had, and when he got back he could truthfully say he had
nothing to eat. He reared and cussed, and to me his favorite expresoiona
said, " I wish to G wo would have peach before day, and that he had died

'

Excerpt, by:R.A. Jarman, from the Aberdeen Examiner, February 28, 1890

NO. 48-Page 3

.
before he was born, " but that evening when Rafe came up with a big
bucket of chicken pie and roasted potatoes, Jessee got in a better humor,
and ate a hearty dinner with us, and began again to accumulate eating for
us; but after that he always divided, but would grumble.

Finally on Friday evening, Sept 18th, 1863, we struck the enemy on
a left wheel of the brigade, and when the regiments on the right of the brlgada
struck Chickamauga river, the enemy had crossed over on a bridge and
escaped, but we exchanged shots with them at long range. The enemy having tha
bridge covered with artillery, we faced to the right and went along the river
and waded over and forced them to leave the bridge by a flank movement.
That night the corps lay on their arms in double lines, one on each side of th«
road. Next morning while still lying there waiting for rations and water,
JLongstrcet's corps from Virginia, passed in high glee, and said they had come
to show us how they fought in Virginia. They came for wool but were nearly
shorn when they got back that night, for they caught a Tartar that day. As
soon as Longstreot passed us we were called to attention and every man
told to examine his gun and see that it was all right. We then marched back
on some road we came the evening before a short distance, and again Company
K was put on the skirmish line and the order to forward given. We could
hear firing, but thought it was cavalry three or four miles off, but we had
not gone over; half a mile until we found the cavalry jhorees and holders, and
by the time we got thro1 the horses stray balls began fall. Soon wo had the
order to forward skirmishers double quick, through an open woods with
only low post oak bushes about waist high, our objective point being a battery
of eight guns in front of us. In our excitement and charge we ran through
part of a line of Federal infantry in front of the guns, and I thought our time
then had about come, but they surrendered to us and we pushed on to the
battery that was just beginning to pay our grape and canister on the brigade
that was not more than 75 yards behind us; but J. S. Thompson Bill Wofford,
Green Westbrooks and myself, I think between us, killed the last gunner
at the battery, when each of us bounced astride of a gun and yelled our
loudest, then we turned the loaded guns on the Yankees and gave them their
own grape. We could not then get the guns off the field, for all the horses
were killed. All of our regiment had been well drilled in artillery, and at
that time it carne into good use. Every regiment capturing artillery in battle
was entitled to the crossed cannon and name of battle on their regimental
flag, and that was a grand inducement to get men to charge batteries where
it looked like instant death. In a short while the enemy rallied and retook
the battery from us then we again took it from them and finally got the most
of it off the field. Near this battery that evening word was paoooc up our
line as were lying down that there was a Yankee sharpshooter in a certain
fence, killing a man every time he shot, and if somebody didn't kill hirn

•

Excerpt, by: R. A. Jarman, from the Aberdeen Examiner, February 28, 1890

NO. 48-Page 4

the line would have to move. I volunteered to try and get him, and went
some forty steps In front of the skirmish line, where there were some logs
lying, asking the balance of my file of four to watch close for me. At first
I could not see the man but could see the smoke of his gun, but he soon
exposed himself to ram his gun, that was my chance and I fired at him about
1Z5 yards, striking him under the left shoulder blade. He lay In the same
place until the next Tuesday when I was over the battle field again. I did not
then go entirely back to the skirmish line, but only part of the way and oat
down by a large tree with my back to it expecting the line to advance. I had
not 6at thus very long until a ball struck the tree near my head. I Jumped
up and looked around and a Yankee and a real live one at that, dodged behind a
\ tree about 80 yards off, then we passed sevoral shots, then I called upon my

\ file to come to my assistance, and nobly did they respond, and for his audacity

I when he went off the field he carried a minnie ball through his leg, turning

summersaults like a chicken with his head off.

Our line remained In the came position until after sundown, when
Oleburn's division relieved us and passed over us, pushed forward their
line and drove the enemy about half a mile, where they bivouaced, we bl-
vouaced closed by when we were relieved.

During this day's engagement I do not now remember all the killed
and wounded; T. B. Townsend was killed for one, and H. D. Spratt was
wounded, the shot entering at the knee and was cut out near the hip, and
eventually caused his death. Early next morning Rafe was on hand again
with something for the mess to eat, but it was mostly roasted potatoes,
buty they filled the empty stomachs. It seemed Gen. Bragg's idea that
hungry men fought the be6t because they were mad, but after each battle
he always fed well. About 10 o'clock Sunday morning, September 20th
1863, we moved from the position we had the night before occupied, towards
the right of our line, and where the cavalry were to support us. Nothing
worth mentioning occurred_until towards middle of the evening, when \

Company K, was again deployed as skirmishers and the line advanced across
the road leading to Chattanooga, where we were as hotly pressed as at
any time during the battle.

The enemy struck our line on the left flank and engaged only one
regiment or part of regiment at a time, and from our^position on the
skirmish line, nearly three hundred h/ards in front, we could see the brigade
beaten back regiment at a time. We held our position until our roglment
broke to the colors, when began a race with us only equaled by horses on

ii.xcerp;, Dy: n.-ft.. jarman, irom me Aoeroeen Lxamumr, rcoruary to, ioy\j

i

NO. 48-Page 5

some kmoue race course, we were so hotly purused. When we crossed
the road all pursuit seemed to stop, for the Yankees were fighting for a
road to escape on. Here it was Gen. Walthall was rallying his men, and
here it was that the root was cut that was presented to Gen. Walthall, BO
full of shot from the battle field of Chickamauga, at the re-union in
Aberdeen last fall. I at once, from the description, remembered the place
in a small hollow or branch, where he rallied the command, and time
enough too to recapture some of our company that was captured on that
never to be forgotten race. At this place our muster roll shows that Lt.
W.A. McMillan, J.M. Fears, R. H. Peters, Wilson Whatley and John
Whatley were captured. Here it was that Gen. Forest, in attempting to
shell over our line and shell the enemy, was in fact with his howitzers shelling
our line from behind while the enemy shelled us in front; and after we had
made the celebrated race above spoken of, to where Gen. Walthall, rallying
the command, cursed us and said that as Mississipians we had disgraced the
cradles in which we were rocked, and demanded we at once advance on the
enemy, and which advance resulted in our re-capturing part of the company.

On this race I saw Lieutenant Ried, of the 24th Mississippi, drop his
sword accidentally and he ran back, regained the sword and came out all
right. We lay on our arms all night near here, and next morning we had
a full supply of rations issued to us, when J. W. Peck and myself were part '
of a scouting detail sent out to see how many prisoners and what else
we could find. We returned to the command about 12 o'clock with some
twenty prisoners, and we were also detailed to take them back to the
Provost Marshal of army at the big spring, across Chickamauga river, 60
we that evening and next morning passed over all the ground on which our
brigade had fought. On arriving at the Provost Marshal's that night we were
put as guard around the prisoners that had been captured during the whole
battle. Next morning the Provost Marshall wansed us to go as guard with
prisoners to Andersonville, and profered to send a courier to the brigade
to account for us and get a description list for us, but Mr, Peck wanted
to hear from his wife, and would not consent, as he had been for a time
detailed as non-commissioned officer and put in charge of the detail. Wo
would have had a good time as our servants were with us and had clothes
for ub. So we wore given a special pass to cross the battle field to keep
from being arrested as stragglers, and late that evening we rejoined our
command going towards Chattanooga.

R.A. Jarman

P. S. --The reason there is so much of self in this is the impossibility for one
man to see all that occurred on a skirmish line from 75 to 150 yards long when
he had so much to attract his attention in his immediate front.

R.A. J.

THE ABERDEEN EXAMINER

The Right: Nor Courting Favor, Nor Fearing Condemnation

Aberdeen, Mississippi, Friday, March 7, 1890

1 NO. 49

Excerpt, by: R.A. Jarman

The History of Company K, 27th
Mississippi Infantry, Continued

After we arrived in front of Chattanooga, it was several days
before our lines were established in the position that we occupied until
the last of November. O r picket line was some distance in front of the
line of battle, which was at first formed on top of Missionary Ridge, but
later at the foot of the Ridge. While establishing our picket line one night
we drove in the Federal pickets so far that we could see the gleaming and
flashing of the gunds, both musket and cannon, on the forts around Chattanooga*
That night, I think, we finally established our pickets in the position held
afterwards. We could also hear the long roll beaten, and the Federal
wagon train hurrying across Tennessee river on the pontoon bridges all
night, for they momentarily expected to be attacked by the whole army,
and wanted to have their train where it would be secure. At that time It
was thought if we had pushed on that night we could have easily taken the
place, for the army was flushed with victory and the Federals oppressed
with defeat.

Just after the picket line was established that night the skirmish
line was withdrawn and we fell back to the picket line. After this there
was no more demonstrations while we stayed in front of Chattanooga, at
least on our part of the line that I remember. By mutual understanding
between the two armies we ceased to fire at each other on the picket line
and this made picket duty much safer with us, for we were in no danger of
being 6hot on the sly either day or night. I now think the agreement was
brought about by flag of truce for the exchange, of some priaonero still In
the hands of each army.

'

»->

Excerpt, by:,R.A. Jarman, from the Aberdeen Examiner, March 7, 1890

NO. 49-Page 2

We continued to do guard duty for the month of October, or at least
the greater part, when our command was moved back a short distance and
the men fixed up more confortably for a few days, when it was said we would
go into winter quarters. While here I received my overcoat and some
other things from home, and some money, by the courtesy of a Mr. Drake
who had to refugee from Tennessee and had gone to the army to visit hlo
sons in a Tennessee regiment.

We did not, however, remain in this position very long, but our
brigade was sent to the front on Lookout mountain to relievo part of Long-
street1 6 corps that was ordered to Knoxvillc; and here it was on Lookout
mountain that rations became very scarce during our ten days stay there
in November. One day our issue of rations consisted of three crackers and
about two table spoons of sugar, but thanks to Rafe, v.ho was with the wagon
train, we, that is my mess, kept a full supply of bacon on hand for each day.
While here on Lookout mountain we did picket duty at the foot of the mountain,
on a creek, we called Lookout creek, and near the railroad. While here the
two picket lines at many places were not more than forty yards apart. We
could see and hear them relieving their pickets, and they could see us. Each
party kept fire at the vidette post day and night. We even met half way in the
creek, whore it was shallow and shoally to swap newspapers, canteens,
tobacco for coffee, and I have seen some swap hats and shoes, and talk for
half an hour at a time, but this was only when.no officer was present on either
side.

Well, all good times have to come to an end, and easy picket duty
shared that fate, for on November 24th, 1863, we were attacked on Lookout
mountain, it was said, by Gen. Grant and his entire army that had just
arrived to join Gen. Thomas, from Vicksburg, and the way they swarmed
and crowded up Lookout mountain that morning against only one brigade
of Confederates, was a sight to see. We were simply crushed by numbers,
and it was the tallest fighting I was ever in, for during the fight It was cloudy
and a dense cloud settled down over us so we could not distinguish friend
from foe over twenty steps. Some of the men that escaped scaled the face
of the mountain and some escaped by way of a white house on the side of the
mountain, called the Craven house. I came out by the house, and jumped
over two cliffs, nearly twenty feet high. Here Lieutenant A. V. Snowden
of Company K, was killed, and the following made prisoners: Sergeants
J.W. Marshall and T. D. Williamson; privates Jas. H. Cheek, B. F. Gibson*
R.E. Hill, W.M. Nash, James M. Smith and James ThrailkiU.

•

Excerpt, by: R.A. Jarman, from the Aberdeen Examiner, March 7, 1890

NO. 49-Page 3

i

We finally left Lookout mountain during the night and camped In tb.e.j-w^v
valley between the mountain and Missionary Ridge. During the day it waa
eald the brigade lost more than nine hundred men killed and captured on
Lookout mountain, and among the captured was Col. Campbell of our
regiment. Noxt day, November 25th, we joined the main army on Missionary
Ridge, but we looked more like a regiment than a brigade, and a small
regiment at that. Here we participated in the battle of Missionary Ridge;
and during the day I witnessed one of the grandest sights I ever saw, from
•a high point on the 'ridge near the centre of the Confederate line. By •'•;> t»;

stretching out my arms from my body and looking from point of hand to
point of hand, I could see the combined armies both Confederate and Federal
under arms and fighting. I suppose in all nearly 80,000 men, for it was
estimated, I think, that Gen. Bragg had with him some 30,000 men. We did net
do much fighting that day until late in evenings near sundown, when the lined
wore broken to our left and Gen. Cheatham ordered Gen. Walthall to form
his command at right angle to the Ridge, or across it, and hold It at all ■
hazards.

We quickly formed, and Gen. Walthall in front on his horse telling the n
to keep quiet and not be excited (when he was wounded in the foot, but never
left the -command until we were safe back two or three days afterwards).
We made a small charge which checked the enemy for the time and held
them in check until after night, when we quietly withdrew our lines, and
the army began the retreat from^Missionary Ridge. That night a detail was
sent ahead to Chickamauga Station to draw rations for the different companies,
Tom Farr was the detail for Companies F and K, (we were now consolidated
with Company F, but each company kept its own organization) after he had
drawn for us ho let somebody steal the whole three days' rations. When we
came up and found what had been done, Capt. Baugh, Company F, asked
for a volunteor detail from the companies of six men to go to station and
draw or steal more, and they drew more for Companies F and K than all
the talance of the regiment had together. Wo had so much next morning
that the commander of Company L complained to the Colonel commanding
regiment, Lt. Colonel Jones, stating that Companies F and K had gotten
his men's rations, but when Capt. Baugh explained to the Colonel how
Companies F and K came b so much, he laughed and advised company L» to as!
us for a division; when they asked in the way indicated, Capt. Baugh requested
the companies to divide, which they cheerfully did, for we had as much ao
we could carry, enough to do a whole week, but as we had been on short
rations about tv/o weeks, the men packed all they could carry, eating all the
time. I for one, had my haversack full, and as much as five pound of bacon
and a half buGhel of crackers in a sack besides; so you see we were preparing
for a long siege of short rations.

•

Excerpt, by: R. A. Jarman from the Aberdeen Examiner, March 7, 1890

NO. 49-Page 4

Tho night the army camped on the mountains near Ringold Georgia,
J. S. Thompson, P. B. Hunter and myself slept together. Myself of the
lower side next to a pole braced against two saplings. Hunter in the middle
and big, fat Jim Thompson on the upper side. I tell you it was close
sleeping, for I had to wake up Hunter and have him to wake up Thompson
before we could turn over, then our fire had gone out, for it was made out
of dry chestnut and had popped out because it was not raining, for you know
chestnut will go out unless it is raining to make it pop off. Rafe, however,
soon had us another fire, for he was with us. Here at Ringold we marched
through the tunnel of the mountain instead of over It, and in double file, but
one man on each side of the tunnel, and this left the centre open and clear
for light. We arrived back at Dalton, Georgia, without anything of interest
in which Company K participated, whore we finally went into winter quarters
in December 1863. '

R.A. Jarman

.

;

THE ABERDEEN EXAMINER

The Right: Nor Courting Favor, Nor Fearing Condemnation

Aberdeen, Mississippi, Friday, March 14, 1890

NO. 50

Excerpt, by: R.A. Jirman

The History of Company K, 27th
Mississippi Infantry, Continued

Eight or ten days after the army arrived at Dalton, Georgia,
after the retreat fromMssionary Ridge, the army gradually went into
winter quarters. I say "gradually," because axes for use in building
huts were very scarce with us; about one ax to the company, so only
one could build at a time. My mess having two servants we could work
while others were getting breakfast. It would have amused you at first
to see men driving boards with a pole ax, for we had no frowa until they
could be made after the blacksmiths 6et up their forges. But quarters
did not bother the men so much as 6hort rations at first, and we began,
to cast about for some means to splice out our rations. Those of us who
had servants and a little money began to write passes for them and send
them down into Georgia to get something extra for us to eat, and to sell
to others. I sent Rafe and Mr. Peck 6ent his boy, Henry. Rafe brought
back potatoes, flour and molasses, but Henry brought ginger cakes, from
Big Shanty, near Murietta. Ginger cakes sold like "hot cakes" and that
settled the question as to what it would pay to buy . Mr. Peck about thla
time happening upon a recruit got a forty days furlough to go home. So
Jim Thompson and myself fell heir to his ginger cake trade and kept it
up all winter, buying at Big Shanty where they were baked especially for
us at $1. 00 each for about the size of an ordinary plate and one-inch thick;
we sold at $2. 00 apiece at camps, upon an average of five hundred to eight
hundred per week, so you see we turned a nice penny on ginger cakes, and
it enabled us to get for our mess many extras that winter. Besides, Rafc
brought back nearly every trip for us a bottle of apple or peach brandy and
he made upon an average two trips a week, and sometimes three. Towards
the last, when the old issue of Confederate money was about to go out or
be scaled one-third for all bills larger than five dollars, which act went
into effect I think the first of April, 1864, it was no uncommon thing for a
man to come and buy fifty dollars' worth of ginger cakes at one time to get
rid of a $50 bill; he would then peddle them around for small amounts and
in that way make his money. Bob Mays also kept a cake stand but his only
sold when ours v/ere out, as his were baked in large, squares at an Atlanta
bakery and shipped in a box to him, getting old and hard before he sold all
of them. On the contrary our cakes were always fresh, and when we had them
ho bought of us to eat.

Excerpt, by:R.A. Jarman, from the Aberdeen Examiner, March 14, 1890

NO. 50-Page 2

While hero Captain W. H. Saunders was promoted to rank of Colonel
and assigned to duty as Judge Advocate on Hood's corps court martial. He
had however been on the invalid list for some time before his promotion,
and had not been with us. Here we had sent back to us from detailed
service R. L. Mays, J. S. McRea and J. B. McKlnney. In a week or so
after getting back to Dalton Henry Bradford was detailed at regimental
headquarters as Sergeant Major, During this winter several of the men
got twenty days furloughs to go home. Among them H. V. Mayfleld, who
died just as he got home; T. S. Porter, J. S. Thompson, R.A. Jarman, and
I think two or three others.

Two or three weeks after we went into winter quarters at Dalton our
brigade was detailed to do general fatigue duty with the Post Commissary,
in the way of loading and unloading all cars of commissary stores that came
to Dalton, and many a time it was twelve o'clock at night when we finished
our day's work. But the men generally got full pay in the way of sugar,
coffee, and occasionally a ham, sometimes two, a sack of sweet potatoes,
on the sly. The Commissary was a Mr. Denison, of the old firm of Denieon
£t George, of Aberdeen, in antebellum times. There was a guard from
another brigade, but we always bribed the guard first and helped ourselves
afterwards. i

In January, 1864, or early February, we were changed from Cheatbam'a
Division and put back in our old Division, Hindman's, Hood's corps, and of
course had to swap camps with another brigade. After that exchange wo
did not do regular duty at the commissary; only an occasional detail.

About the middle of February there came a snow of several inches,
and as there was only a wagon road of some thirty feet between our brigade
and Deas' Alabama brigade, we got up a snow ball fight and completely
routed Deas' brigade and took possession of the camp. Then after a truce
each brigade was formed in line of battle with field officers mounted and pro-
ceeded across a creek to Managault's brigade, another brigade of our division,
routed and captured them; re-formed anew and started against Stevenson's
division with a regular line of battle, skirmishers thrown out, and all, and
I assure you it was rare sport that day, as charge after charge was made
with only snow balls, and you could have heard the yelling and halloing for
miles. When we returned to camp the men were as tired as though wo had
done a sure enough day' 6 fighting. A few days after this there was a feint
made by the Federal troops and we were called Into line of battle, when come
of the men were go foolish as to fire their quarters as they were leaving,
and they repented it in a few days for we returned to the old camp,

During this winter, or rather In the early spring, there was organized

Excerpt, by: R.A. Jarman, from the Aberdeen Examiner, March 14, 1890

NO. 50-Page 3

a battalion of sharp shooters to do away with the skirmishers. The
detail from company K were at first A. L. Baker and R.A. Jarman, but
to keep from dividing the masses I exchanged with A. C. Puckett, and Baker
and Puckett thence became separated from us in camp but retained on the
muster roll. They were drilled separate from us and had no camp guard
duty to perform.

As spring began to open we wore put to work on ditches and trenches
in front of Dalton that were destined to never be used by us, but to perfect
us in something that was to bear a prominent part in the campaign of
1864.

R.A. Jarman

THE ABERDEEN EXAMINER

Tho Right: Nor Courting Favor, Nor Fearing Condemnation

Aberdeen, Mississippi, Friday, March 21, 1890

NO. 51

Excerpt, by: R.A. iirman

Tho History of Company K, 27th ?._

Mississippi Infantry, Continued

Between the 20th of April 1864 and the first of May, we brolce up
our winter quarters and moved out to tho front and went into camp (using
the boards off of our quarters to make shelters) to insure us to tho hamish'ipss
of the coming campaign. "While here several of the men had fights with
one another for some trivial causes, but they soon made up again, as it was
against their nature to stay mad long at a time, besidea the other men Diuuo
all manner of fund of them, and 6aid the spring fights had opened, and
wanting to know when they might expect the next round, as they wanted to
have skirmishers thrown out and bring it on in grand style, and it would
always end in a laugh and make up.

Several times while in camp we were called on to go in support of
cavalry, and we were frequently in line of battle but no fighting, although
we could hear skirmishing at times in the distance. I recollect on one
occasion in front of Dalton, while out supporting cavalrw, we came across a
large pile of knapsacks that had been piled up and from some cause abandoned
by the Federal infantry. Here we supplied oursleves with new oil cloths, and
sections of email tents that were of great service to ua. We finally retreated
back to Resacca, where we had a hard contested fight on tho 15th and 16th of
May, the first real battle of the Georgia campaign. I do not remember who
was hurt here, except J. W« Peck wounded in hip, and myself bruised from
spent ball on tho shin. It was hot work here, for the Federal lino in our
immediate front was not over 150 yards off, and they could use their rifles with
fatal effect; but we did our best, and I think succeeded in paying them back
in kind. Here in the midst of companies F and K, Lieutenant-Colonel Jones,
of the 27th Mississippi regiment, was killed by a sharp shooter at an old
house in our front, but the artillery soon fired it, and we made it very hot
for them there with our rifles. The Federals came near smoking us out
of our position the first day by firing the woods in our front, and the leaves
setting fire to our temporary rail breast works, but that night we dirtcd tho
rails, and did not stand in so much dread tho second day. After dark on the
night of the 16th of May, wo withdrew our lines and fell back, and mado no
very important stand until on the evening of May 25th, at New Hope church.
Although wo did no fighting ourselves, we were in the first or second lino of
reserve and undor fire part of the time, and stray shots falling most of tho timt.

Excerpt, by: R.A. Jarman, from the Aberdeen Examiner, March 21, 1890

NO. 51-Page 2

If my recollection serves me right, there were some four or five lines of
Mississippi troops in reserve, but the brave Georgians in front were
fighting for homes, and loved ones they could seo fleeing from the invaders
and their burning homes (for it was said that two companies in that line were
mustered into service, and lived around New Hope church) and they only
needed encouragement, and to know that help was near, and well did next
day reveal how they used their rifles, from the number of slain in their
front. Here, this night, after the battle was over, we met many of our
old friends and neighbors that had just joined Johnson's army with Loring'a
division, from Mississippi, During the next two day6, while our lines were
getting established, and we were in reserve, on the 27th of May we, with
Granberry's Texas brigade, were double quicked to our right to support some
cavalry, when, before we could form and close up, faced to the front and in
not more than two or three volleys almost anihilated a line of Federal infantry,
insome places and in not more than over ten or twenty steps from us, for their
guns were empty from chasing cavalry , and they had no idea that a line of
infantry was in half a mile of them. In that engagement the Confederate infan-
try lost only about four five or men. It was said at the time that next day
about seven hundred federals were burried from that engagement and eons
two hundred prisoners taken that night. Next day, May 28th, we were chasing
around in support of the cavalry, and late that evening rejoined our division. •
Several days were spent here in line of battle, when we were again forced to
retreat and did it at night, and it was as dark and rainy a night as you would
wish to see; and next morning we were all muddy and wet and mad. During
the night one of the company, Jim Thompson, I believe stopped in a branch
to get some water, after he had taken his drink he found he was standing on a
dead horse or mule, and not on a log; but a soldiers stomach was too strong
for that, and he laughed many a time afterwards about it. We were in all the
engagements with our division and corps In front of Marietta, Lost Mountain
and at Kenesaw mountain we had close and dangerous picket duty to perform*
and each man was required to carry 80 rounds of amunition on picket with
him, 6tand four hours at a time and keep up a lively shooting all the time,
particularly during the day, and on some of our picket posts the Yankee sharp
shooters kept things too hot and lively for a man to get lonesome.. There waa
a North Carolina regiment to our left on the Kenesaw line, and one night I
heard a Yankee call over to Johnnie Reb to know what regiment it was on
duty there, when he was answered some North Carolina, they, the Yankee,
wanted to know if Johnnie Reb had any tobacco to swap for coffee, when
answered in the negative, the Yankee asked what he had to swap; Johnnie Reb
replied, some of the best rosin he had ever closed his teeth over, then there
was a grand laugh on both sides. Many amusing incidents happened all along
there, that I cannot remember now while writing, but they frequently come up
when I have no moans of taking them down. Some time soon after we left the

•

Excerpt, by:R.A. Jarman, from the Aberdeen Examiner, March 21, 1890

NO. 51- Pago 3

Iinesaw Mountain line, or about the time we left, I one evening saw a duel
between tv/o Yankee batteries. At first the one took the other for a Con-
federate battery, and they put it to each other hot for some time; and
during this engagement between the batteries we had to change sides of
our breast works, for we found the front safer than behind them. We
finally fell back to the line of works being erected north of the Chattahoocbb
River from Atlanta, and went to work to strengthen them, and tho negroes
at work on them were sent back towards Atlanta.

After occupying these lines for a short time, the army fell back
across the Chattahoochic river, when it was said that we would rest for a
few days, Gen. Johnson being relieved and Gen. Hood put in command of
the army, and Gen. S.D. Lee in command of our corps. . About this time too,
there was an election ordered in Company K, for Third Lieutenant, aa
Lieutenant McMillan was prisoner of war and only Second Lieutenant, no one
could la promoted over him. A. G. Powell was elected Lieutenant. During
all this campaign Col. W. F. Brantley, of the 29th Mississippi regiment, had
been in command of the brigade, and Gen. Walthall promoted to command of a
division; Gen. Kindman was our division commander. About this time, or
shortly after, Col. Brantley was promoted to Brigadier General, and our
brigade was known ao Brantley's brigade thereafter.

R.A. Jarman

~

r

THE ABERDEEN EXAMINER

The Right: Nor Courting Favor, Nor Fearing Condemnation

Aberdeen, Mississippi, Friday, March 28, 1890

NO. 52

Excerpt, by: R.A. Jarman

The History of Company K, 27th
Mississippi Infantry, Continued

When it was said at Atlanta that we would go into camp and rest a
few days, the men were all very glad, for we had been in line of battlo
and under the fire of artillery for about three months and thought we
needed some rest. H. S. Thompson and myself fixed up a bunk to sleep
on out of round poles, then covered it with leaves, then lay down to rest.
In a short time we heard the bugle at brigade headquarters sound pack upl
pack upl and in a short time we were in motion, to support the troops up
on Peach Tree Creek. We did not go into the battle but the enemy's linea
were thick at times among us. We remained in that vicinity two or three
days then fell back to the inside works around Atlanta, That night, or the
next morning very early, Hardee's corps and Wheeler's cavalry went
around to the rear of the Federal lines and struck the lino near Stone mountain
about noon on July 22d, 1864. Their firing was the signal for a^general
advance along the whole line. That day there were seven or eight companies
of the 27th Mississippi put on the skirmish line in front of the Georgia militia,
companies F and K among them, to support a battery of rifle pieces that
was advanced In front of the line. During tho morning several Yankees came
in and surrendered, saying they preferred captivity to fighting, as they
had just heard that Generd Hood had been put In command of the Army of
Tennessee, and they knew that meant fighting. Although the battle did not
begin on our part of the line until after twelve o'clock, we were under
picket fire all the morning and during the. morning Lieutenant Powell, of
Company K was wounded and died from the effects in ten days or two weeks
afterwards. In the advance of our line as skirmishers through a corn field
that day I shot several tlme6 Into a picket post; I saw some Yankees dodge
In and finally called to them to come out and surrender, when two soldiers
came out holding up their hands, and when I reached the post found an officer
and a private behind it, dead; It wa6 only made of fence rails. I went from
the field that day with batch of prisoners, back to Atlanta, turned over the
prisoners and returned. About sun- set that night we rejoined the brigade and
tho brigade took position held that day by the Georgia militia.

It was very amusing to see the militia inbattle with bed quilts and
pillows and packs large enough for a mule. No old soldier would have

Excerpt, by: R.A. Jarman, from the Aberdeen Examiner, March 28, 1890

\ NO. 52-Page 2

carried such a load- -he would have thrown it away. While here part of
our company, helped by the artillery company near by, killed a large bull
one night, and we had fresh beef a day or two. My pocket knife went with
the crowd to kill the bull though I did not, but I received my share of the beef.

We remained on that part of the line until July 28th, when we were
moved to the opposite side of Atlanta, in quick time, to the lick skillet road,
and that evening we had hard fighting and heavy loss. There Were two file
closers shot behind me that day-- J. S. McRea, across the shoulder, slight
wound, and one of Company K 6hot in the chin. Here T. A. Benner and Jameo
H. Dean were wounded and never joined us again. If any of Company K were
killed that day I do not now recollect it. We lo6t Major Kennedy, of the 27th
Mississippi, and Lieutenant Colonel Mcllvane, of the 24th Mississippi, our
commanding officer, was wounded, so he never joined us again. Captain
Baugh, of company F, 27th Mississippi being our senior Captain now had
charge of the regiment as he was ranking officer and had stood examination
for the rank of Colonel, as Colonel Campbell had died in prison. For the
next few days we had fighting every day for position, both sides wanting the
advantages, which finally culminated in the Federals charging our picket lineo
August 3d. That day the 34th Mississippi reinforced the 27th Mississippi and Vu
took them. They reinforced and again charged just after a hard rain before
we had time to dry our guns and it was hard fighting the balance of the day,
part of the line in our brigade using the bayonet and clubbing the musket.
After we retook the picket lines at first it forced from six to eight men in
picket hoes only intended for two, and being short of ammunition the officer .
of the day did not like to make a detail. As it was a very hazardous under-
taking to run out from the picket line he visited the several holes and called
for volunteers. I for one volunteered to make the run, and we had to pass
under fire for two hundred yards to get out. It was a dengerous undertaking
but 1 considered my chances in running and staying, concluding that running
out for ammunition was safer than remaining in a crowded picket hole and
it in the range of artillery. I made the run out safe, and when I returned I
found two wounded and one killed out of the five I left in the picket hole, and
later in the day the other two were captured, one of whom was T. S. Porter,
of Co. K, so you see that time a good run was bettor than a bad stand.

That night we established new picket lines and began to ditch towards each
other and when about the last week In August the Federal lines fell back and
flanked us out of Atlanta. I stepped the distance between the two picket linos an
found it to be only eighteen steps from outside to outside of picket lines in
front of our brigade. While in such close quarters there were several men wou
and some killed. R. C. Jones, of company K was wounded. Nearly all the
wounded were shot in the head so that most of the wounds wore fatal*

Excerpt, by: R.A. Jarman, from the Aberdeen Examiner, March 28, 1890

i

NO. 52-Page 3

Our line of battle was well entrenched with earthworks and in front
of them brush and stakes drove into the ground at an angle of forty-five
degrees, with grape vines worked in and though them; then more brush and
stakes, for some seventy-five or one hundred yards, with a narrow road
though for the pickets to pass, and that well guarded. The men called
the brush "tangle foot," and the stakes "haver-sack stealers." If the Federals
had undertaken to charge, it would have certainly been tangle foot to them.
While in line here, about the middle of August, we had another election for
third lieutenant to succeed lieutenant Powell who had died from wounda. J. J.
Inman was this time elected.

I think we left East Fort, neck Atlanta, when flanked by the Federals
on the evening of August 30th, and after an all night march we arrived about
noon at Jonesboro, Georgia, where that evening we had one of the hardest
fought battles of the campaign. We that evening chargedthe Federals in their
breast works, though a field, and coming to a fence row, some thirty or forty
steps from the Federal line, our line halted to rest, and it was fatal to them, foi-
never did they advance again, but were shot down and completely routed.
Company K, here lost A. L. Baker, killed; Lieutenant J. J. Inmtn, wounded and
died; H. V. White, wounded and sent to the hospital, and R. L. Mays and J. S.
Thompson, both slightly, J. S. Thompson being saved by a knife in hie pocket,
which was broken all to pieces, and caused the ball to glance, making a slight
wound on the hip. We ditched all night preparing for an attack next day, but abov
daylight, we sent our tools back to the wagons and started back to Atlanta to
guard out our wagon tra*n and the artillery left there. We met it late that
evening coming out and went on guard, or rather formed a picket line and let
the train pass on. Next morning we come in as rear guard, but kept a skirmish
line out at the road side and parallel to the road, and I think had to form line
of battle once or twice, but no engagement occurred. We went out by way
of McDonald, and arrived at the army at a little place near Jonesboro, where,
after a few days skirmishing and picket duty, we went into camp to rest for a
few days. While doing picket duty here, one day Bob Mayes, of Company K, and
others of the regiment, were out on a scout between the two armies, when they t
captured a Yankee in a field of corn after roasting ears, and they also killed a
nice hcg. that gave us pork, and to keep us from cooking it, orders were issued
to have no fires built until further orders. The second day after, Rafe came to
us and wo all sent our pork off to be cooked, and before we got it back all
the brigade had fires and were cooking their meat.

R.A. Jarman

NO. 1

THE ABERDEEN EXAMINER
The Right: Nor Courting Favor, Nor Fearing Condemnation
Aberdeen, Mississippi, Friday, April 4, 1890

Excerpt, by: R.A. Jarraan

The History of Company K, 27th
Mississippi Infantry, Continued

While encamped near Jone6boro, Georgia, we were mustered and had to
make out new muster roll; and it was uphill ;work to write and nothing to write
on. So to make out the muster roll for Company K, I improvised a desk to write
on out of round strait poles, and covered it with my blanket, then with my oil
cloth, when I had a fairly good desk (we used the same for a dining table), I
succeeded in getting my roll right the first time, then making two copies. I
helped several other companies to right their rolls, for our mustering officer
on that occasion was Capt. Joe Ward, Company L, 24th Mississippi, and also
of Aberdeen, and he was very strict.

There in two or three days after going into camp, orders came from brigade
headquarters for the men to be drilled two hours in the morning and same in the
evening, but the privates and non-commissioned officers of the 24th and 27th
Mississippi regiments refused, and every man went to hi6 tent and lay down,
and when orders were given to the 29th and 30th Mississippi regiments to arrest
us, the 34th Mississippi regiment joined us, and every man loaded his gun and
again lay down by it, but sent word to the 29th and 30th regiments if they attempted
to arrest us they might oxpect to fight, and as a matter of course they made no
arrests. We began to drill, or at least went out to drill in a day or two. For
this all non-commissioned officers were reduced to ranks, but it did not in the
least affect Company K, for she had none, either commissioned or non-commissior
for Lieutenant J. J. Inman died of his wound received at Jonesboro. While
here there was a flag of truce sent between the two armies, and with It was
sent the effects of Capt. Baugh, Company F, rather now Col. Baugh, 27th
Mississippi, as he was wounded and captured at Jonesboro, and died in the
hands of the Federals, but being a Mason, he fell in with good and true brother
Masons, and they sent every dollar of money he had, even his pocket knife and
a letter addressed to his mother he had written before he died, all packed to-
gether, to care of Company F, 27th Mississippi. How long we staid here 1 do
not now remember, but I remember Gen. S. D. Lee, our corps commander,
having each division of the corps marched out to an old field one day, and
after forming by divisions into squares, he made a speech to us, and in that
speech he said that Hardee's corps could charge and take breast works, and
he was determined that his corps should do as much, and he wanted them to
understand and act accordingly.

Excerpt, by: R.A. Jarman, from the Aberdeen Examiner, April 4, 1890

NO. 1-Page t

I do not now recollect how long we stayed here, but our next move was
when Gen. Hood started to the rear of Sherman at Atlanta. We went across to
a little old town then deserted, or rather moved on the Atlanta U West Point
railroad to Newman. While here two Monroe county men came to see us one
morning, Ira G. Holloway and James Kolloway, and when we asked them to
stay to dinner with us, they consented if it did not deprive us of our rations,
and when assured it would not, they cheerfully accepted the invitation. The day
before Bob Mays, while scouting between the lines, had brought a bee gum and help
to kill a hog; but the Federal cavalry run them off the hog once, but they went
back and got it again, and that morning my servant, Rafe, had come in with about
a half bushel of biscuits ready baked and some butter, so you ought to ;have seen u.
trying to put on style to our guests. Mr. Ira Holloway said when he saw the sprea^
that it was more than he had seen one mess have since he had been in the army,
but he had just come to the army. Our next move from here, I think, was to near
Marietta, Georgia, and while there two of Company K, who I will call Allen and
Butler, as both are now living in Monroe county on the ea6t side of the river,
for fear of hurting their feelings, (but Allen and Butler are their true given names)
came to me late one evening, as I was then acting Orderly Sargeant, and said
if I would manage to excuse them a while from fatigue duty on breast works we
were building there, they would give me some mutton, and being a dear lover
of mutton, I arranged to let them go, with some four or five others. Afterbeing
gone some hour or more, they came sneaking back, muddy and wet and no
mutton; but it soon leaked out that instead of sheep they had seen/ it was where
the beef of some division had been slaughtered and the paunches had been left,
and from a distance it looked like a flock of sheep lying down. I will not say
which member of Company K was said to have shot a paunch and then jumped on
it with a knofe, but suffice to say they had to stop at the branch and wash, and
they were a crestfallen set. All the rest of the war we would holler at them every
time we would paoo a slaughter pen to come up and draw their mutton; we missed
our mutton but had a heap of fun. After leaving the line formed near Marietta,
G orgia, we bore to the left and went south of Rome, Georgia, and crossed the
Coosa river at a little place called Coosaville. On this march one evening we
came to a large creek across the road and a lane on one side of the creek we
were on, and the dividion was put in double column, one on each side of the road
and the men all ordered to pull off shoes and pants to wade the creek, which at
the ford was about two and a half feet deep probably three feet, and just as the
head of the column started to ford the creek, along came two ladies in a buggy and
had to face a whole division of men in their shirt tails, and the whoop that went up
along the lino as they passed through could have been heard fully one mile. We
filed to our right as soon as we crossed the creek and camped on the banks; that
night my mesa had slap jacks and molasses for supper. Next day just before wo
got to the Coosa river we passed in the evening a little school house near the
road, and as we passed there were two girls, or young ladies, and one boy sitting
the door of the school house and singing 'I am a Rebel Soldier," and I heard they
were there at dark still 'singing as our bare-footed squad came by. That night

Excerpt, by: R.A. Jarman, from the Aberdeen Examiner, April 4, 1890

2-005J.7© NO- 1-Page

I do not now recollect how long we stayed here, but our next move was
when Gen. Hood started to the rear of Sherman at Atlanta. We went across to
a little old town then deserted, or rather moved on the Atlanta & West Point
railroad to Newman. While here two Monroe county men came to see us one
morning, Ira G. Holloway and James Holloway, and when we asked them to
6tay to dinner with us, they consented if it did not deprive us of our rations,
and when assured it would not, they cheerfully accepted the invitation. The day
before Bob Mays, while scouting between the lines, had brought a bee gum and helj
to kill a hog; but the Federal cavalry run them off the hog once, but they went
back and got it again, and that morning my servant, Rafe, had come in with about
a half bushel of biscuits ready baked and some butter, so you ought to ;have seen \:
trying to put on style to our guests. Mr. Ira Holloway said when he saw the spreti
that it was more than he had seen one mess have since he had been in the army,
but he had just come to the army. Our next move from here, 1 think, was to near
Marietta, Georgia, and while there two of Company K, who I will call Allen and
Butler, as both are now living in Monroe county on the east side of the river,
for fear of hurting their feelings, (but Allen and Butler are their true given name;
came to me late one evening, as I was then acting Orderly Sargeant, and said
if I would manage to excuse them a while from fatigue duty on breast works we
-• .- -? ": :Udir.~ there, they would ^ive me some mutton, and being a dear lover

;„', v>, v.ih some four or five others. Afterbeing
art making back, muddy and wet and no
•..-_>: vr.itcid of sheep they had seen/ it was where

- ;* : '--tcr. tUughtercd and the paunches had been left,
...,; . . « c a Hock of sheep lying down. I will not say

- ■ ) vii ci.id to have shot a paunch and then jumped on
. » itc ilcy had to stop at the branch and wash, and

* 'J. ire rest of the war we would holler at them every
. • : s : :o come up and draw their mutton; we missed
... . _- *. .ii:er leaving the line formed near Marietta,
.;.: .r.ct went south of Rome, Georgia, and crossed the
_ ,.:n river at a ii'czie piace called Coosaville. On this march one evening we
came to a large creek across the road and a lane on one side of the creek we
'.vere on, and the dividion was put in double column, one on each side of the road
and the men all ordered to pull off shoes and pants to wade the creek, which at
lie ford was about two and a half feet deep probably three feet, and just as the
head of the column started to ford the creek, along came two ladies in a buggy and
had to face a whole division of men in their shirt tail6, and the whoop that went up
along the lins as they passed through could have been heard fully one mile. We
filed to our right as soon as we crossed the creek and camped on the banks; that
night my mess had slap jacks and molasses for supper. Next day just before we
got to the Coosa river we passed in the evening a little school house near the
road, and as we passed there were two girls, or young ladies, and one boy sitting
the door of the school house and singing '1 am a Rebel Soldier," and I heard they
were there at dark still .singing as our bare-footed squad came by. That night

Excerpt, by: R.A. Jarman, from the Aberdeen, Examiner, April 4, 1890

NO. 1-Pago 3

when camped at Coosaville, Bob Mays was detailed to guard a sweet potato
patch, and when I carried supper to him he had near half a bushel ready for
me, co that next day we had plenty of roasted potatoes. Next morning, 1
think it was, that the bare-footed squad were ordered to the slaughter pen, and
there got fresh raw hide to make mocasins, out of, and to turn the hair side
in; the boys said that they felt comfortable at first, but when they got hot and
dry they hurt the feet, and as a matter of course were then thrown away, but
renewed each morning.

Our objective point now wa6 Resacca, Georgia, and when we arrived In
front of the place the Federals held the position we had in May, and we occupied
their position, but we did not charge the works as they had, we simply held
them there while the other part of the army tore up the railroad to Dalton, and
captured the stockades near Dalton, held by negro troops, that being done, wo
filled the gap in the mountain with timber to keep from being pursued too fast
by cavalry and artillery, when we turned southwest for Gadsden, Alabama, for
supplies. We stayed at Gadsden only a day or two, but left there hurriedly in
the evening, with our three days rations only about half cooked. We carried
our meat, of course, but the bread stuff was corn meal dough, and had to be
thrown away. Next day at 12 o'clock my mess ate up the last of our three days
rations, and as we were then on Sand Mouiiain, it looked gloomy, or as the boys
expressed it, starvation stared us in the face as big as a ten acre field. But
thanks again to Rafe, he got us a large turkey gobler and about thirty pounds of
flour and a canteen of sorgum, and I with some other men on a scout for some-
thing to eat, got the sholder of a fresh killed hog, skined as a matter of course.
We cooked the pork and some biscuit that night, dressed the gobler and carried
him all next day and roasted him that night at the foot of Sand Mountain, while
Bob Mays again got more potatoes to eat with the turkey gravy that we caught
while baking in our tin plates. We went on in the direction of Decatur, Alabama,
but our command did not go through to Decatur, but were close enough to hear
firing there. We struck the Memphis £c Charleston railroad between Decatur and
Cburtland and followed the railroad to Leighton. Just before we got to Leighton,
about four miles, I got leave of absence for six hours to visit an uncle there, and
here I again got a good supply for my mess in bacon and biscuits. V/e camped
for the night at Leighton, but early next morning we started in the direction of
Florence, Alabama, and that evening we crossed the Tennessee river by Ferriage
in come pontoon boats, above Florence where there is an island in the river.
We ferried to the island, pulled our boat6 across the island and ferried the other
prong of the river. Gen. Sharp's birgade with our division commander, Gen.
Edward Johnson, preceded us. While the 27th Mississippi was in the boats the
Federal cavalry began to fire on Gen. Sharp's brigade and a few stray shots at us,
but Sharpe's birgade soon captured the detachment of cavalry sent against us, and
that night we camped in Florence, but it was late when we got there, as it was
dark before all of our birgade crossed over. V/e did picket and guard duty

Excerpt, by: R.A. Jarman, from the Aberdeen Examiner, April 4, 1890

NO. 1-Page 4

around Florence for some two weeks, and nearly every day or night for
part of the time had skirmishing with the Federal Cavalry. Finally, when
the drift and high water in the Tennessee river permitted the army to keep
up its pontoon bridge, the main army crossed over and rations became more
plentiful. Our division was sent out to where the Huntsville road crossed
Shoal creek, and early one morning Sharpe's brigade waded over and got behind
a brigade of Federal cavalry and routed them and capturing part of their
commissar/ stores gave us for a few days good fat beef. We continued on
picket along Shoal creek until the army commenced its advance into Tennessee*
While here on Shoal creek the men frequently waded over under the cover of our
rifles and gathered corn to bring back with them to a mill on our side of the
creek and have it ground. The corn and mill belonged to the same man, but he
said he had rather the Confederates had it than the Federals, and besides
he got the toll out ot it, which if the Federals got it he lost. While out here,
we had clothing issued to us at the following very cheap, rates for jeans Jackets
and pants. Drawers, $3. 00; pants, $12. 00; jackets, $14.00; shoes, $10.00;
socks, $1. 00; blankets, $10. 00; shirt, $3.00; wool hat, $5.00; cap, $2.00. For
the last six or eight weeks I had been acting Orderly Sergeant, as there was
not a non-commissioned officer in our consolidated company. While on Shoal
creek we got from the fi Ids near us plenty of peas, but they had to be got
after dark. In my next I will take up our trip to Nashville and back.

R.A. Jarman

THE ABERDEEN EXAMINER

The Right: Nor Courting Favor, Nor Fearing Condemnation

Aberdeen, Mississippi, Friday, April 11, 1890

NO. 2

Excerpt, by: R.A. Jarman

The History of Company K, 27th
Mississippi Infantry, continued

We left our position on Shoal creek, near Florence, Alabama, where
we were doing picket duty, about the middle of November 1864, and marched
up Shoal creek and joined the balance of our corp9. The first town I now re-
collect of passing thro' was Laurenceburg, Tennessee, and from there on to
Columbia. About the second day's march we were joined by Forest's cavalry.
They had a few days before taken some Federal transports on the Tennessee river#
and many of them had two or three pairs of'extra new 6hoes tied to their saddleei
and at first they gave them away to the barefooted infantry until they had only
those on their feet, then at night the barefooted infantry stole those they wore;
for they said it was no harm for a cavalryman to be barefooted, as he had a
horse to ride. When this expedition started, I think it was intended to forage
on the country for supplies to feed the army; and at times bread was scarce,
and the men to get bread would, as soon as camp was struck at night, fell a large .
tree and cut a square hole in the body of it as deep as it could be cut with a pole ' ' «
axe, and when the chips were cleaned out nicely, about a pint of shelled corn
put in, and we began to pound it with a pestle, slowly at first, then harder after
the grains were cracked, and then we 6ifted out the finest meal; put back the
rest and pound again, sift out the meal and then use the coarsest for hominy.
We called this going to Armstrong's mill; and it was surprising how soon we
could get enough meal for cupper, and while supper was cooking we generally
prepared enough for breakfast. We also found plenty of Irish potatoes and
pumpking, all of which we used. We would buy pork occasionally, and when we
could not buy it somebody would go foraging and kill a hog and skin it; but that
was dangerous work, for when caught generally a hog-sking cravat was gotten,
by taking a piece of hog- skin, cutting a hole in it and sliping it over the offenders
head and making him wear it all day with the Provost guard. Some times they would
have to carry a fence rail all day in addition to their accoutrements. None of
Copnpany K was ever caught or had a hog-skin cravat, or carried a rail, but we
got our share of meat all the same.

Excerpt, by: R. A. Jarman, from the Aberdeen Examiner, April 11, 1890

1 NO. 2-Page 2

When the army arrived at Columbia, Lee's corps, or at least Johnson's
division, camped some three or four miles south of town, near the fine farms
said to to be owned by the Polks at that time. For two or three days then we,
that is Johnson's division; were part of the army sent to flank the Federals out
of Columbia. We marched east, crossed Duck river on a pontoon bridge, and
again struck the turn pike two or three miles south of Spring Hill; but that day
our division was guard for wagon train and artillery, but I think we had only
ordnance along with us. Our brigade did not get up until after day light next
morning, although we could hear firing during the evening and night proceeding,
and we had to push the wagons and artillery out of the mud, for we had left turn
pikes and traveled across country roads, and they resembled our prairie roads
in the winter time for mud. About 2 o'clock that night the brigade was halted
and stacked arms to rest and wait for all the wagon train to get together, and we
were allowed to lay down and go to sleep awhile. Boy Mays, Green Westbrook,
Jim Thompson and myself lay down on a flat lime rock to keep out of the mud,
but we did not sleep long, for it was the coldest bed I ever had; we got up and
moved to the mud like the re6t, and then slept very well while we lay there. We
started next morning, November 30th, 1864, and joined our division about an
hour by sun, where they had stayed most of the night before, and let all the
Federal army pass out on the turn pike in four hundred yards, or less of them.
Shortly after joining the division I saw two ladies come into our lines marching a
Federal prisoner in front of them, with a musket at "shoulder arms," and you
could have heard the shout that went up as they passed down the lines with their
prisoner, for miles. It was said by the men at the time, if a line of battle had
been formed across the turn pike that night, the probabilities were that the entire
Federal army and wagon train might have been captured; but of that I czn only
speak from hearsay, as we did not get there until after daylight next morning.

During the morning we wore joined by the other two divisions of our
corps, that came from Columbia along the turn pike with the remainder of the
wagon train, when we pressed on to Franklin, Tennessee, and arrived in front
of the place late that evening. Again Johnson's division was put in line of battle
(and the other divisions of our corps held in reserve) and after dark we were ad-
vanced through an old field on the extreme left of our line, next to the Harpeth river,
and told to hold our fire until we reached the first line of breast works, as Bate's
division were holding the first line of works and were out of amunition. We did not
find Bates' division, but instead, when about forth steps from the works we re-
ceived a volley of musketry that made a considerable thinning in our lines,
but we raised a shout and went at them with loaded guns and carried the works
by storm, except where Managault's brigade was; they ran, and left us exposed on
our right to a terrible cross fire down our lines that told sadly next morning from
the dead and wounded on the field. During the fight we ran short of amunition, but
caught a Federal ordnance bearer from the opposite side of the works and pulled

Excerpt, by: R.A. Jarman, from the Aberdeen Examiner, April 11, 1890

NO. 2-Page 3

him over to us with a box full of cartridges, about one thousand, when we were
again in good shooting fix, and we used it well, to make a noise at least, from
the looks of a locust thicket in our front next morning.

Here at Franklin Company K lost J. S. Gladney, captured; J. B. McKinney and
G. W. Westbrook, wounded. Here Lott, of Company F and myself had a shooting
match with two Federals across the breast works, and at first it looked as if we
were to lose, but they had too much tangle leg in them, and we came off winners; i'.v
the distance was about eight feet. Next morning early, while reviewing the
fight and making report to headquaters of killed, wounded and missing. Bob
Mays, Company K and Ratlif, of Company B, came in from a scout through
Franklin with a side of bacon and box of crackers, which were very acceptable to
us, as for the last two days we had been on 6hort rations, and while discussing
the crackers and bacon Rafe came in with a supply of buscuits and meat for our
mess. We stayed at Franklin all that day, December 1st, 1864 and early next
started for Nashville. All along the turn pike we found evidence of the hasty
retreat made by the Federals, in dead left along the road unburied, and the number
of wagons abandoned wherever a team would give out, and frequently dead mules
left to wagons.

That evening we arrived in front of Nashville, and in due course took our
position in line of battle, investing Nashville, where we went to work building
breast works as if we intended to make a regular siege. We prepared our mortars a:
again begun to pound corn for bread and hominy, and occasionally made a raid on
a nieghboring hog pen for meat. The men tired of that, so one night four men from
the 27th Mississippi borrowed the mules from the tool wagon and visited the supply
train, about two miles off, and got three sacks of flour and a side of meat, and
the representative of Company K in this raid furnished us with biscuit for several
days. Rafe rendered us valuable assistance by foraging for us, but McRea'a ser-
vant, Bob, deserted and went over to the Federals, while Rafe stayed in line
of battle except when foraging.

Finally, on December 15th, the Federal commander at Nashville, being
heavily reinforced, sallied forth and attacked our lines on the right, and our position
being near the centre, our dividion was double quicked to support the line where it
was attacked. In this battle, T. W. Carr, Company K, was captured, and if any
were wounded or killed in Company K, do not now recollect it. That day I had to
part company with my old and trusty rifle that I had carried and used so long, for
the hammer was blown off; but I soon got another of the same callber--an imported
"Tower" rifle- -that served me well; but it was longer and heavier than the one
I had been using.

That night our lines were reformed, and we were this time near the right
of the line, and as the battle progressed on December 16th, we were moved to
support the extreme right of our lines, and while we lay here in reserve behind

■

Excerpt, by: R.A. Jarman, from the Aberdeen Examiner, April 11, 1890

NO. 2-Page 4

a hill, it seemed as if the Federals were shooting crooked cannons from the
forts and batteries in Nashville, fro they could throw their shells right in
our midst, and from killed and wounded men and horses, a small branch in our
rear ran red with blood, that is bloody water. Finally, late in the evening, with
but little fighting on our part of the line, our line broke, then stampeded to our left
and to the left of the Franklin turn pike, and we were forced to retreat by marching
east instead of south, and it finally became dark so we were not pressed hard;
but they pressed hard on those that retreated by the turn pike. After dark Gen.
Brantley pressed a guide and put him in charge of sic men, with orders to shoot
him if he betrayed us to the enemy. He piloted us out safe, and wo struck the
turn pike five or six miles from Franklin, and inrear of where the Confederate*
had again formed line of battle. Up to this time we had no straggling from our
brigade, as all feared capture, but when the men found out that a line of battle
was between them and the enemy, they began to straggle and when stopped south
of Franklin, after midnight, there were only four men in the consolidated company
to 6tack arms, and when rations was brought to us we had a full supply, and when
Rafe came to us from the cook wagon, we had four our mess as much as we cared
to pack with us next day. Next morning the stragglers began to come in early, /
before we got up, for they were hungry. That evening we were camped near
Spring Hill as rear guard, and during the night a squad of Federal cavalry dashed
through our lines, but did no damage that I now remember. We were in the rear
until we crossed the Duck river at Columbia. Here at Columbia we rested one
day, and during the day it rained very hard. When we left Columbia for Pulaski,
we were put with the pontoon train as guard, and ordered to push for the Tennesseo
river. When we got to Pulaski in the evening, it was sleeting, and next morning
the ground was covered with enow several inches deep. We were camped that
night on a high hill, with nothing to make fires of except green beach and gum; but
we moved rails from a distance of near half a mile to make fires, and when we
once got good fires burning we soon got comfortably warm. Some of the regiment
that were noted foragers, that night, 6lept in hen houses in Pulaski with the In-
tention of getting chickens next morning, but the chickens beat them up and they
lost their game for that day. We did not go far next day; only passed Pulaski
and crossed the Elk river, a short distance. Next morning we began the retreat
in good earnest. The night before we got back to Shoal creek a colored driver in the
supply train brought to our mess a side of meat and some flour, and wanted his
supper. He said he could get supplies, but could not cook it; and it was very
acceptable, for that night we had only Irish potatoes for supper; but it was a
bad chance to cook flour with nothing to bake it in, so we boiled some meat and
potatoes together until about done, when some one suggested that we have what
they called at his home "drap dumplins, "wiich was to make the flour Into a batter
for flap jacks, and while potatoes and meat were boiling, to drop in a spoonful of
batter at a time, and we eventually stirred the whole together, ate supper that
night, and next morning for breakfast, in cutting it out of the camp kettle, wo got

'

Excerpt, by: R.A. Jarman, from the Aberdeen Examiner, April 11, 1890

NO. 2-Page 5

meat, bread and potatoes all in the came slice. We arrived at Shoal creek
about the middle of the evening on December 24th, 1864, tnd about four inches
of snow on the ground, and were ordered to wade the creek. Some roled up
their pants but as soon as the icy waters touched their naked legs they came
out of it and no persuasion or coaxing could get the brigade in until Gen. Brantley'a
horse stepped on a slick rock in the creek and fell with him, ducking him good,
then the men took to the water like ducks, laughing as they went. The water
very, very cold; but there was a row of fence fired for us to warm by on the south
bank. After warming a short while we were told for every man to get a piece
of fire, as were going into camp for the night, close by.

Next morning we were up by time and marching for the Tennessee river,
whore we began at once to put in a pontoon bridge, just below the shoals in the
river where there used to be a little town called Bainbridge. The first thing done
was to lash two or three pontoon boats together and use them as a ferry boat
to cross over some artillery and horses to go towards Florence and protect our
bridge from Federal gun boats until the army could cross. We had the bridge
completed by 3 o'clock that night, when at once the wagon train started over.

While here in the flat on Tennessee river and the whole armyjcamped on
the bluffs above, it looked like a hard place to forage at; but one of Company K,
and three other men of the regiment went foraging; one of the men was barefooted
too; that night from cavalry headquarters of Gen. Jackson's they got a pair of
boots that fit the barefooted man, a sack of flour about 50 pounds, and camp
kettle of beef off the fire. After the wagon train and most of the infantry had
crossed over, our division was crossed over on Tuesday, Dec. 27th, and as
soon as the division was over I got leave of absence for 24 hours to visit my paternal
grand mother who lived about four miles off. I got to grand ma's just after
dinner, but had a good dinner fixed for me and left next morning, rejoined my
command at Cherokee, below Tuscumbia on the Memphis U Charleston railroad
after dark that night, when I called for Company K. and Reid Company F. who
had carried my gun and accoutrements for me, poured out the contents of my
haversack, and after supper pulled out several twists of home-made tobacco
and then for a smoke by all hands. We continued down the M. &t C. railroad
to Burnsville, where we crossed over to Rienzi on the M. & O. railroad. While
at Burnsville we were mustered, but I do not know what became of the muster
rolls made here, in fact I don't recollect now of writing them. When we got to Riem
it was reported that we would go into winter quarters near there, and on the
strength of it that morning we sent out scouts for supplies. Adjutant Crump and
Capt. Pegg commanding the regiment furnished their horses for some of Capt.
^egg's Company ; to ride. The men were gone all day and night and it looked as if

Excerpt, by: R.A. Jarman, from the Aberdeen Examiner, April 11, 1890 .

NO. 2-Page 6

we were to have to report them as deserters, but next morning just as we
were reporting after the first hours march, the four men came In, uch to our
relief. The evening before several men were scouting or rather foraging and
furnished us with plenty of pork. We continued our march south along the M.
£t O. railroad until we reached Tupelo, Mississippi, where several companies
from North Mississippi in the brigade received a furlough for ten days, I also
furloughed Rafe and sent him home to get clothing for Company K.

R.A. Jarman

The Aberdeen Examiner, Friday, April 11, 1890

NO. 2

The surviving members of Company K, 27th Mississippi Regiment,
are requested to meet at \V. A. McMillan & Son's, Saturday, May 3, 1890,
at 12 m. to take some steps to have a re-union of the Company in July.

R.A.J.

THE ABERDEEN EXAMINER

The Right: Nor Courting Favor, Nor Fearing Condemnation

Aberdeen, Mississippi, Friday, April 25, 1890

NO. 4

Excerpt, by: R.A. iirman

The History of Company K, 27th
Mi b s i s s ippi Infantry, C ontinued

The first night that we were at Tupelo, we camped east of the rail-
road, but next day we moved west of town and went into camp, where it
was said we would go into wintor quarters and rest and recruit up. But,
Company K was tired and determined not to do any more work than absolutely
necessary for comfort. So we split a large poplar log and turned the halves
up edge-ways and stretched out Yankee dog-tents over it and filled up with
leaves to make a bed, and just had a camp fire in front. After we had been
thus in camp for fivo or six days, we all petitioned for a ten days furlough.
In a few days there was a general order issued to give ten days* furlough to
all that could get home in the regiment and brigade., the furlough to be signed
only by Brigade commander. I went to work and wrote out for Company K,
and so dated our furloughs that we got eleven instead of ten days, and it wai
not discovered by Gen. Brantley until he had signed them, when he-laughed
and said he would let it go, but e;ee that iic oxie else caught him.

So late in the evening^ of January 19th, 1865, we all left camps with our
furlough dated to begin next morning, and started home a-foot, as there was
no regularity in the trains on the railroad, but all fell out by the time we
reached Verona, except J. S. Thompson and myself, of Company, and two of
Company A, that were from Oktibbega count y-Sansing and Livingstone. When
we got to Okolona, Thompson left us and went across the country home, and
here Sansing, Livingstone and myself built a fire to sleep by; but before wo
went to sleep, Livingstone went a foraging among "butter milk rangers,"
(homo cavalry) that were camped in some old cars close by, and stole enough
for our supper. Next morning before day, I started home alone and got there
about an hour by ?un.

y/hllo camped at Tupalo, I lost a diary that was very full, that I had
kept of the whole Georgia campaign, and our trip into Tennessee, and if I
now had it, it would be very interesting.

Excerpt, by: R.A. Jarman, from the Aberdeen Examiner, April 25, 1890

NO. 4-Pago 2

Next day after we left Tupelo the army began to move to North Carolina,
and instead of rendcsvouzing at Tupelo, we rendesvouzed at Meridian, the
first of February, 1365, and remained there, I think, until the 19th of February,
when, with Gen. Sharpe's brigade, we moved to Montgomery, Alabama, whore
we were encamped out beyond the State House, and were told not to cut any
timber in the woods where we were, as it belonged to a crippled Confederate
soldier, and tfca t there would be wood hauled us. At first wodd was hauled uo,
but v/o soon found out that the land did not belong to a crippled soldier, but to
a man that had on his gin breast, in large brass letters, "Hon. Bolen Hall;" but
wo did not think him honcrable, for while we were there, there was a long rainy
6pell, and it rained very hard, and he would not even let the men at night sleep
under his gin house, or in it, and the two brigades, when they found hirn out, and
all about him, eat up his market garden. While here at Montgomery, w<a were
mustered, and had to make out our muster rolls. Then Lieutenant Welch, of
Company L, 27th Mississippi, and myself put bn our nicest clothes, blacked
our shoes, and went to Mr. Hall's house and asked for the use of a table in Ma
back hall to write on, when we were told that his daughters were at home that
day, and to come next week and he would accommodate us. When told the urgency
of the case, he said his daughters were at home, and shut the door in our face,
and than we were forced to go more than a mile, through a hard rain, to Mont«»
gomery to do our writing. And when, after the surrender, we came homo and
saw that the Federal cavalry had been there and burned his gin house and cotton
bales for him, no one felt sorry. After this Bob May6 went to see the post
quartermaster, Capt. Lanier, and as he had at one time been wagon master
for Capt. Lanier, ho loaned us a good new wall tent and sent it to us; then
Company K, was all comfortably sheltered, as there was only six or seven
present. When we left Montgomery, March 9th, 1865, (1 think my record shown,
but it is so blurred and dimmed with age, and being in pencil, I cannot give It
as the right date for certain), Capt. Lanier sent a dray after our tent, and
also got a box containing our overcoats and other heavy winter clothing, promising
to send it to us next winter, wherever we might be, free of charge; but before
another winter came, we were at home as quiet citizens, and besides the Federal
cavalry had captured Montgomery and burned the warehouse in which our clothing
was stored. The morning we broke camps at Montgomery it began, and by the
time we arrived at the West Point depot, it was raining nearly in torrents, but
we went along with a shout, and v/hen we finally boarded train nearly all of us
were wet. Our route was by Opelika, Alabama, Macon, Georgia, Miledgoville,
Georgia, on by way of Sparta, Mayfield to Camak, where we took the cars for
Augusta, where we arrived that evening and marched through tho city during a
very hard rain, and that night camped across the Savannah river, in Hamburg, S. d

Excerpt, by: R,A. Jarman, from the Aberdeen Examiner, Apri25, 1890

NO. 4-Page 3

Next day, March 17th, v/e remained in camp, and many of the men had
the privilege of visiting Augusta, among the number, myself. Here v/e found
the prices of everything very high. I recollect of having $300 offered me by
a shoe maker for my boots, but he asked me $400 for a pair of Bhoes, and he
actually charged me $30 for pegging my boot in the instep where it had ripped.
In pricing some provisions, meal was selling at $60 per bushel; meat $2.50 to
$3. 00 per pound; so you see, A confederate soldier could not buy much on $11.00
per month, and when rations were scarce, it forced him to forage for his
supplies. Next day we left Hamburg, and I cannot tell, from the worn condition
of my memoranda, how far we marched, or by what places we went. We
crossed Saluda river, I think, near Ninety-Six, of Revolutionary fame, on the
railroad birdge and as we went from the river bottom to the hills, where there
was an arch of evergreens spanning the road, and the men were invited. If
time permitted, (and you know a soldier always had time to get something to
eat), to fall out and go to the house near by and get something to eat, for it
was the intention at first to hand a snack to every man as he passed, but It was
just raining in torrents. Bob Mays, from Company K, however, fell out and
brought us back a full haversack of nice eatings. I would have gone myself, but
I was First Sergeant, and had, at the time, command of six companies of the
regiment, for the regiment was divided into two companies, for convenience;
among the other five there were two or three commissioned officers, but not one
in our 6ix. We went into camp about three miles from the place above spoken
of. Next day, March 22nd, we marched 19 miles, passed Cross Hill and en-
camped. During the day, as we were passing a farm house, an old lady said,
"if I had known all you soldiers was to pass here, I would have given you a
dinner, if it had taken a whole hog." Little did she know of the eating qualities
of a ooldior. On the 2.3rd we passed Laurens Court House, South Carolina,
and the memoranda says we saw 450 ladies, and I reckon it was true, for the
streets wore lined with them passing plates of nice things to the men, (God
bless them), for they certainly knew a soldier loved to eat, they also gave
hats, hanker chiefs, etc. ; for wo were the first lot of real live soldiero, I
expect they evor saw.

March 24th, we marched 16 miles, passed Mount Shoals, next day marched
\'z — L.i.^a ar.d ~a3ced Glenn Springs and Jamesville, Sunday March 26th, marched
- >-. .r.r. :t-.^-.=c 7. earn, river. After we went into camp here, near Broad
■ -/ : - -.•:_ c:~::r.j, ;r rather foraging, and came back laughing
« • • ■ * x ^_- ^o with him he had found a good thing for the mess.
-'•*••»:- ."a'c ::> be gone until after dark. Rafe palmed him off as a
. • : . ; r-i—cr of the farm they had gone to. They asked a heap of
•• « : . 7 i/s rad drilled him, and finally satisfied the negro foreman
■• ■■■< -*:;-:.<: i ;s to his identity, when they fixed him up a nice supper,
• *■<•; .-"., while they killed four old hens and baked them, and about a
" : "" • »<-■•{. ir.d a quantity of hard boiled eggs. About midnight Bob and
;'-ing, and showing their trophies of that night's foraging.

•o'

R.A. Jarman

. .. i

THE ABERDEEN EXAMINER

Tho Right; Nor Courting Favor, Nor Fearing Condemnation

Aberdeen, Mississippi, Friday, May 2, 1890

NO. 5

Excerpt, by: R. A. Jirman

The History of Company K, 27th
Mississippi Infantry, Continued

Since writing tho chapter for last week, I have received a letter from a
dear friend and fellow-soldier, or rather a comrade of Company K, saying ho
very much enjoyed the history, and over some parts he felt like crying, and
over others he was bound to laugh, but said to hold up and not tell too much.
So now, I intend to make this a final wind up, for I would not intentionally
hurt the feelings of any old comrade of Company K, and I don't think I havo
told anything for any one of them to be ashamed of now, at this late date.

March 27th, 1865, we left our camp on Broad river, at one o'clock p.m.,
marched 9 miles, and next day marched 14 miles to Chester, South Carolina.
"While there we saw tvhat were said to be the lithograph stones (I believe they
were called) that were UBed by the Confederate government to print the bonds
and currency with which to pay the troops, purchase supplies, etc. , and from
the pile, more than a car load, it seemed as if they might have made it fast
enough to keep from being behind with the troops, for we had not been paid to
a later date than June 3rd, 1864. So you see it must have been patriotism in*
stead of money tho poor Confederate fought for.

March 29th, we boarded the cars at Chester, and that day went to Saulsbury,
North Carolina, next day wo traveled all day in the rain to Greensboro, and
you can imagine it was anything but pleasant to be crowded in an old box car
a day and night and it raining hard most of the time. To-day we passed and had
a hand- shaking with part of Company K, that had been prisoners of war at Rock
Island for about sixteen months and were on their way home after being exchanged,
and I tell you it felt like meeting a brother who had been long absent, besides we
hoped to soon ha^e them back with us, for we were hardly a corporal's guard
present for a whole company. But our hand- shaking and taling were short, for
both trains were on the move soon, in opposite directions. Next day, March 31at,
we passed Raleigh, N. C. , and that night camped at Smithfield, North Carolina,
and this was another day of constant rain.

I

Excerpt, by: R.A. Jarman, from the Aberdeen Examiner, May 2, 1890

NO. 5 -Page 2

While our train was at Raleigh, we took aboard with ua a few Mississippi
troops that had been cut off from their command at the battle of Bentonville,
about two days before, and had just made their way back to Raleigh. While
we were stopped at Raleigh, I went out to hunt something to eat for the mesa,
and made out buy three biscuits at one dollar each. That-night at Smithfield,
I got on the good side of thecargeant of the guard who was guarding the box that
had our commissary stores in it, and got a shoulder and sido of bacon, and
a peck of meal, and then he came and ate supper with us about eleven o'clock
at night. The meat was so. small that shoulder and side were cut together and both
did not weigh over ten or twelve pounds, and we ate the most of it that night, for
we had been on the cars and on short rations for the past three days, with no
chance to forage.

April 1st, we marched out from Smithfield and rejoined our division, after
an absence of two months. The momoranda says nothing of interest the next
two days, v/hen on April 4th, it says "grand review of the Army of Tennessee,"
but it does not say who by, but I suppose by Gens. Johnston, Beauregard and Hood.
For the next few days noghing of interest transpired only our daily drill, morning
and evening. It put duty pretty hard on me as Orderly Sargeant, to make report
for six companies, and attend to all other duties as First Sargeant, and then to
have to act as drill master, for as yet we had no commissioned officer among
us. April 10th, we broke camp and marched out when there was a general re» — -
organization of the army. The 24th, 27th, 29th, 30th and 34th Mississippi regl-
mnts were organized into one regiment, to be known as the 24th Mississippi
regiment. Company K, and others to the number of about forth, was known as
Company F, Capt. Wilson of the old 34th, Captain. I do not now remember the
First Lieutenant; I was promoted to Second Lieutenant. Capt. Jack Evans, with
two Mississippi companies from an Alabama regiment, was Company A, in the
new organization. Capt. Williamson, of the 29th Mississippi, was made Colonel;
and for some reason, I do not now remember, he was generally called by the men
"Old Step High. " Capt Dancey, of the 24th was made Lieutenant-Colonel, and he wau
a very nice and pleasant gentleman; previous to this, he had been with Gen.
Brantley as staff officer for some time. 1 cannot now recall to my mind who wae
Major of the new organization. Gen. Deas' Alabama brigade was formed into a
regiment and put in the brigade with us, Gen. Brantley commanding. Gen.
Brantley (now dead) was known to the brigade a6 "Bull of the Woods." I think
Gen. Deas commanded the division, consisting of Brantley's and Sharpe's brigades.
After the re-organization it was said we would go into camp again where we were,
but in less than one hour the bugle sounded, and in a short time we were put in
motion towards Raleigh, where we arrived next day. The next day, I think it
was the 12th of April, we heard Gen. Lee had surrendered to Gen. Grant. We
continued our march back to Greensboro, where we arrived on April 16th and
went into camp at and around the Court House, and here on the doors we saw
an official notice posted of the surrender of Gen. Lee. We were here put on

/

Excerpt, by:R.A. Jarman, from the Aberdeen Examiner, May 2, 1890

NO. 5-Page 3

guard over all public property, both Confederate and State of North Carolina,
and to keep down all rioting and disorders of every character. We kept the
ctreets around the different supply depots guarded day and night, permitting
no one, unless with a pass, to come in. I even saw what was 6aid to be the
gold and silver, in boxes and kegs, loaded in wagons, and under strong cavalry
guard, start South. We here received $1.15 per man in silver, and later on
some received more. I here got a good pair of what was called English army
shoea and enough nice Confederate grey cloth to make me a suit of clothes when
I got home. Some went nearly every night to headquarters and asked Gens.
Johnston and Beauregard what would be done. The memoranda says on April
Zlst, Gen. Walthall and Gov. Va.-ce made speeches to us. On the 27th of April
we were notified that we had been surrendered to the Federal army, and two
days later wo stacked our arms around the Court House at Greensboro, and
marched out and gave possession to the Federal advance" guard. While here
it was necessary to keep a strong guard at the government stock yard to prevent
the mules and horses from being stolen, and there was a detail of 20 men from
our regiment for the purpose, and Bob Mays, of old Company K, was among
the number, and when we left Greensboro, each man of them was given a horse
or mule to ride home. Bob Mays called his hor6e "Abe Lincoln, " and when rested up
he was a very good horse. Here at Greensboro there was a large map of the
United States hanging on the wall of the Court House, and I daresay It was con-
sulted oftener while we were there a few days than it had been in as'many years
before; the men with strings and straws trying to compute or measure the
distance to be traveled to reach their respective homes again. After April
30th, 1865, my memoranda is strangely silent, for I do not know why I stopped
writing, but I know that we marched together as a command, with roll call and
all, until we reached the railroad from Columbia, to Abbeville, South Carolina,
where all Company K called for their paroles, and took cars to Abbeville, then
walked across to Washington, Georgia, then by cars to Atlanta, and on to West
Point, Georgia, then marched to Montgomery, Ala. , as the railroad had been l'c :.lvo<
destroyed by F deral cavalry. Twenty-five miles from Montgomery, I was taken
sick and had to lay over two days, and all of the company left me except Rafe,
and when I got to Montgomery, I found all had passed thro' and had gone home
except Frank Evans, and as he had left me, I left him here to get home as best
he could, and have never seen him since. All the rest of Company K that were
present I have often seen, and besides all those nearly that I now know to be
living.

"With this article I will close; but some want me to go over and review my
pieces; others want me to take up the personnel of the Company, and still
others think I did not say enough about a brother or friend, wounded or captured

Excerpt, by: R.A. Jarman, from the Aberdeen Examiner, May 2, 1890

NO. 5-Page 4

at a certain place, or speak of a certain deed of daring of a friend or brother.
To all such I eay that I have, in a brief way, tried to describe some few things,
as seen and recollected by myself, and after my attention has been called I then
recollect what they are speaking about. If I have written anything to wound any
ones feelings, 1 humbly beg pardon.

But now Mr. Editor, the half of the good things, laughable things, and
also sad things, have not been told; but I think I had better stop*

R.A. Jarman

Excerpt from the Aberdeen Examiner, Friday, May 2, 1890

ISSUE NO. 5

Editors' Note:

"No member of 'Company K, ' or old comrade of Lieutenant Jarman,
will regret to part company with the able and interesting chronicler of the
27th Mississippi regiment more than the editors of the EXAMINER. We
have read every line he has written, with interest, and in this history have
found the rehearsal of a hundred scenes that are paralleled in every ex-
Confederate's reminiscences. Jarman has told a tale that has fanned into
life smouldering embers in many a Southrons memory, and his letters have
been read by brigade, division and corps commanders with as much interest
as by the rank and file of 'Company K." (Eds. Examiner.

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